Friday, September 30, 2016

Review & Tour: Soul Finder by Jacinta Maree

Title: Soul Finder
Author: Jacinta Maree
Genre/Age: Sci Fi/NA
Series: The Immortal Gene Series (Book Two)
Publisher: Inked Rabbit Publishing
Format: ebook via YABound
Rating: ✺✺✺
LinksGoodreads
SynopsisSince being discovered as Soulless, Nadia has become a target for both terrorist groups and government corporations. Now, her only hope for survival rests in the hands of the man sent out to kill her: Diesel, the Mad Dog terrorist.

Diesel is determined to free himself of the never ending curse of reincarnation and the haunting memories that plague his mind. But when his search leads him to Nadia, a greater desire stills him from taking her life.

Unable to see into Diesel's cracking mind, Nadia instead puts her faith into his strength, fueled by eleven generations of unmatched rage and insanity. Their tight-rope relationship balances the two between life and death, love and rage, trust and betrayal.
Tension pulls at the hems of their dangerous companionship, and as time runs out all madmen must eventually make their choice.

Book two of the thrilling Immortal Gene series dives deeper into the danger of trusting your heart over your head.

Readers discretion: Adult language, violence and some adult scenes. For mature audiences only.



Diesel slowly stood. “I have been thinking a lot lately. About how delicate this situation is. I have had many experiences in hostage situations. But you are different. Difficult.” He stepped around the table. I shuffled back. His voice dropped and curled with a gentle accent that didn’t suit his pitch. A Russian accent, spoken through an English voice. Krane. He jabbed at his own temple with the gun. “You’ve done something to me. You’ve planted this desire in my head. Something I need to stamp out.” His eyes shot down and his eyebrows twitched, pinched by a thought.
“I need you to stay with me, Nadia. I have sacrificed so much for you. Don’t you get it? You and me, we are more than life. We are more than this. Without you I will crumple into ruins.” The earnestly behind his words shuddered his breath. Weakened his body. I blinked at the poetry of it. At first I thought I was the wax, bending and breaking within Diesel’s presence, but it turned out I was the flame. I was destroying him.
“You forget.” I turned the gun against my own head. “I know your weakness too.”



Born in Melbourne Australia, Jacinta Maree considers herself a chocoholic with an obsession with dragons, video gaming and Japan. She writes a variety of genres including YA paranormal, steampunk, horror, new adult, dystopian and fantasy. Winner of 2014 Horror of the year and bestselling author, Jacinta writes to bring enjoyment to others while fulfilling her own need to explore the weird and the impossible.

Author Links:
Buy Links
Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for honest review.** 

Oh, my poor heart. It hurts.


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That ending was just... ugh! It can't leave me hanging like that. I wouldn't call it a cliffhanger, necessarily, but definitely left my head spinning and I am not looking forward to the wait for the third book. I never knew I could get this attached to a Dystopian series!

We once again follow the crazy journey of Nadia and Diesel as they try to survive the harsh world around them and save themselves and everyone else from the mental insanity caused by human immortality. Nadia is confused about the prophecy that implicates her as being a savior to what is left of the human race.

Characters come back that we thought were dead, new companions arrive, people perish in the most horrific ways. And the pacing from the first book continues. Quick and fierce with barely a chance to catch your breath before being thrown into another dire situation or battle for survival.

The romance between Nadia and Diesel is more prominent in this book, too, leading to realizations and proclamations. But don't think for a second that Nadia fully trusts Diesel, by any means. And Diesel's behavior even left me second-guessing him, at times. Their angsty romance is intense and definitely beyond compare.

Yet, I still root for their happily-ever-after, if such a thing is even possible in this futuristic world. There has been tremendous character growth for both Nadia and Diesel, and I was happy to see Nadia becoming more assertive in the last half of the book. 

Wish me luck as I impatiently wait for the next installment!


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In closing... 
Danger, romance, strife, and a fight for survival. Four suns for Soul Finder!


Book Blitz: Untouchable by Jessika Klide


Title: Untouchable
Author: Jessika Klide
Genre/Age: Romance
Series: Siri's Saga (Book One)
Publisher: Self-published
LinksGoodreads
SynopsisWhen Army Helicopter pilot Aurelius Moore's eyes fell on isolated Vegas celebrity, Siri Wright, he was stunned by her beauty and her dance. Filled with an undeniable passion for her that he thought he was incapable of, he is devastated when she vanishes before he can consummate the deal he has made. When he sees her again in his hometown in Alabama, he realizes the extraordinary opportunity that has fallen in his lap. She is on his turf. No rules. No security protecting her. He will have her on his terms. He hunts his prey and controls the game, knowing the game has changed. He wants all of her!

When Siri encounters a military man called Moore, she is caught off guard by her body's immediate chemical response to this enigmatic and reserved young officer, who is gorgeous beyond what even she is accustomed to. Not being able to restrain her flirtatious side, the confident diva, oozing sex appeal, teases the handsome hunk, unwittingly putting her Rule #1: No Touching in serious danger.

Add in the danger she encounters when she is hoodwinked by TD, aka Touch Down, to attend a cocktail party with him, which turns out to be a cock and tail sex party of swingers, and her Rule #1: No Touching is entirely in jeopardy. She must use ALL her Vegas secrets to escape.

Can she remain UNTOUCHABLE? Will she want to?




Title: Undeniable
Author: Jessika Klide
Series: Siri's Saga (Prologue)
SynopsisFor years, enigmatic and reserved military officer Aurelius Moore has managed to successfully hide who he is from everyone in his life, especially from his military family. They have no idea his Italian family is wealthy. Leading a dual lifestyle has been difficult, but he has managed to keep it a secret by imposing strict behavioral rules upon himself. Being a player, yet never playing, has earned him the nickname, Hard Core, which is a label that is truer than anyone knows. Controlling exactly who knows what about him, he protects his privacy, ensuring that a secret he considers too dark to share with anyone remains that way.

At the request from a Venture Capital partner, he makes a business trip to Vegas to check out a stripper known as Seary. When he sees her dance, lightning strikes his hard core heart, igniting in him a level of lust that is UNDENIABLE and something he thought himself incapable of feeling.

She shatters the rules he has placed upon himself. Risking everything he has so carefully protected, he is determined to make her his. Being a man who knows how to play the game, he sets his sights not only to have her, but to possess and own her.

But she has her own set of rules, her own secrets, and a team in place determined to enforce them, protecting her from men just like him. Will she be the one, the only one, he cannot have?


Title: Unstoppable
Author: Jessika Klide
Series: Siri's Saga (Book Two)
LinksGoodreads
Synopsis: When Vegas Diva Siri Wright fell for Aurelius Moore, a flame of and wild desire burst within her and his commanding and demanding nature made her, his Wild Thang, his Every Thang.

Now, Siri and Aurei are free to explore all the possibilities that a real relationship offers. But a death threat is made, and Aurei whisks her off to Rome where he is in complete control. As he shares his secrets with her, revealing his Italian heritage and the Liotine Dynasty, the two lovers realize the enormity of blending their very different, very complicated lives. But they are determined to make their 'Us' work, and their undeniable love begins to be a beautiful thang.

Just when it seems they will have it all, Aurei reveals his darkest secret, and a devastated Siri questions whether or not she can accept what he has done.

Will Siri reject Aurelius, or will their love become UNSTOPPABLE?



Title: Undone
Author: Jessika Klide
Series: Siri's Saga (Book Three)
LinksGoodreads
SynopsisWhen Vegas Diva Siri Wright fell for Aurelius Moore, a flame of wild desire burst within her and his commanding and demanding nature made her, his Wild Thang, his Every Thang and undeniable love has burned itself forever into their hearts. They are no longer untouchable, they are unstoppable.

The two lovers appear to have it all - explosive passion, honesty and intimacy with a world of possibilities before them. Then Siri’s picture is blasted all over the Italian news, and Aurei, fearing for her again, takes her to his family villa, The Compound. She should be excited to meet his family, but her gut tells her she is a lamb being led to the slaughter.

Bringing a professional woman like Siri, who is always stereotyped and labeled, into his family fold, forces Aurei to wrestle with the dynamics of family politics and they must fight for their 'Us'. Amidst all the turmoil, Aurei continues to reveal even more dark and dangerous, but delicious secrets than even Siri, whose life has been built upon secrets could have guessed and they appear to be truly unstoppable. Just when it seems they are finding acceptance, Mia rears and threatens to make everything come UNDONE, forcing Siri to choose. Stay and destroy Aurei’s reputation and shame the Liotine Dynasty, or love Aurei enough to leave him behind?

Courageous is the keyword in this fourth book in Siri’s Saga. Will their bond survive the ultimate test of family and find acceptance, or will their love come UNDONE?




Jessika Klide burst onto the romance scene in 2014 with her bestselling series, Siri's Saga. It has steadily risen to the top of Amazon's erotic romance list and has made her a favorite among fans who enjoy full length novels in a genre typically ridden with short one-handed reads. Her plots and characters are fully developed and deliciously dangerous.
Whether it's Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines, military men make her swoon. Her alpha male hunks are heroes and they fall for her confident, smart, and oh, so sexy heroines. She believes in modern day fairy tales complete with virgins and soulmates. Where love and lust form perfect unions and the stars do align for true love. She also guarantees more than one happy ending.
She is fun and flirty like the heroines she writes.
"Jessika Klide is my pen name. I'm from LA ... Lower Alabama. The Deep South. Since my mind is super slutty, it's just better to use a pen name. Trust me on this! ;)"


Purchase Links


Review: The Belgrave Legacy by Zara Hoffman

Title: The Belgrave Legacy
Author: Zara Hoffman
Genre/Age: Paranormal Romance/YA
Series: None
Publisher: Self-published
Format: ebook via Author
My Rating: ✺✺✺.5
LinksGoodreads
SynopsisA Reluctant Heroine. A Snarky Angel. A Big Mess.

Fawn doesn't believe in magic. But when she is unexpectedly thrust into the middle of an ancient feud, she must learn to control her powers.

Caleb is sick of Hell. But when a simple seduction becomes complicated by real feelings, he is forced to pick between keeping his past or fighting for his future.

Can this young witch navigate a dangerous world with the dark angel assigned to romance and seduce her by her side?

The Belgrave Legacy is an upper-young adult paranormal romance novel with a feminist twist. Filled with magic, witches, angels, demons, Zara Hoffman's "coming of age" story will keep you turning the pages until the very end.

**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for honest review.** 


Ready for some magic?

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Fawn is a witch. And a powerful one, at that. In fact, according to an ancient prophecy, Fawn's magic could be the strongest to ever exist and she could play an important role in the future of the world as she knows it. But that doesn't mean that she wants to go along with destiny's plan for her.

Caleb lives in Hell. No, literally. He is a dark angel who is indebted to Lucifer for eternity. But after Lucifer strikes a bargain and makes a bet with the holy man, himself, Caleb has an opportunity to finally escape Lucifer's evil clutches and find peace with his deceased family.

So what does Caleb have to do to earn his freedom? He has to seduce and corrupt Fawn, turning her and her magic over to the evil side. Should be an easy task, considering ruining women has been his specialty for centuries. But he finds that his new charge is not quite as easy to persuade. Even worse, he discovers that he might prefer to care for her, instead.

Thus begins a roller coaster ride of magic, romance, danger, secrecy, and betrayal. Secrets cannot stay hidden forever and no one can escape fate, no matter how hard they try.

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I liked the overall plot of the book. The deal between God and Lucifer and their constant interference was entertaining. I thought the secondary characters were interesting enough to enhance the story without weighing it down. The pacing was pretty good and the magic and fantasy elements were adequate for a fantasy/paranormal story that I typically read.

But I did have a few issues with the book. I wish there were more description of the characters and surroundings. I also found Fawn to be an inconsistent character, untrusting of Caleb one moment and interested romantically the next. The 'I love yous' came way too early, even for a YA novel, at barely a third of the way through the book.

Then when things turn sour, Fawn works much harder to avoid and refuse Caleb than she ever did to get to know or show affection toward him. Too much angst and not enough passion between them. Perhaps, a few more sweeter and more romantic moments for our couple would enhance the believability.

In closing...
A good read with a creative plot and likable characters. 3.5 suns!

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Review & Tour: Soulless by Jacinta Maree


Title: Soulless
Author: Jacinta Maree
Genre/Age: Sci Fi/NA
Series: The Immortal Gene Series (Book One)
Publisher: Inked Rabbit Publishing
Format: ebook via Goddess Fish Promotions
Rating: ✺✺✺
LinksGoodreads
SynopsisWelcome to Soulless.
We are the generation that laughs at death.

Reincarnation; what was once considered a gift of immortality has become an eternity of nightmares.

Nadia Richards lives in a world plagued by reincarnation, a system of recycling souls where all past memories, personalities and traumatic events are relived daily in disjointed sequences. Trapped within their own warped realities, not even the richest and most powerful are saved from their own minds unraveling. Madness is the new human nature, and civilizations are crumpling beneath themselves trying to outrun it. 

Within a society that ignores death, Nadia appears to be the one exception to the reincarnation trap. Born without any reincarnated memories and with printless eyes, the hot tempered 19 year old quickly becomes the ultimate prize to all those wishing to end the vicious cycle, or for some, to ensure they could evade death forever.

Readers discretion: Adult language, violence and some adult scenes. For mature audiences only.



The world had turned to waste; immortality was never meant for man and it drove humanity to the edge of destruction. There had been plenty of stories about how the human race would end. Unlike the movies from Hollywood, there was no big bang caused by a sun exploding; there was no catastrophic moment where our world was flipped upside down like in a nuclear war or zombie virus outbreak. It was gradual, like a seeping virus that withered everything within its path until it ground us down into brittle, hollowed out cores. It wasn’t out to destroy our bodies; it destroyed everything we once treasured. Hope, love, compassion, joy… even our mortality. It was all gone. And now it mocked us with a peace we could never achieve: death.

I kept my hand behind me, ensuring Annie was safe before slowly creeping out. The steady thump of the Sweepers had almost gone silent as they walked further away down the block, but it was Annie’s sudden scream that spun me around. A dark shadow stepped up behind us just as a snap of red crossed my vision.
No! Before I had time to jerk my head away, the Sweeper lurched forward and snared me by the shoulder. My body seized underneath its grip as it hoisted me up from the ground.

“Run, Annie! Run!”

Annie squealed and pressed herself up against the building. “Nadia?”

“Just run!” I screamed as the robot reached over and took the shotgun from my hand. It crushed the barrel easily before finding the pistol in my back pocket. It smashed that one, too.

In its inhuman static voice, the machine said, “Corrupted identification code detected. Blacklisted threat. You are under arrest.”

“I’m not one of them!” I screamed as I wrestled in its grip. “Let me go. I’m not one of them!”


Born in Melbourne Australia, Jacinta Maree considers herself a chocoholic with an obsession with dragons, video gaming and Japan. She writes a variety of genres including YA paranormal, steampunk, horror, new adult, dystopian and fantasy. Winner of 2014 Horror of the year and bestselling author, Jacinta writes to bring enjoyment to others while fulfilling her own need to explore the weird and the impossible.


Links:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for honest review.** 

Insane. Purely insane. That's what this book was.


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I should probably admit, up front, that I usually do not read Sci Fi, unless it has a strong romance element. I also typically avoid dystopian novels because they often depress me due to their harsh settings and storylines.

This book caught me by surprise. Yes, it was a dystopian story, riddled with destitute futuristic societies, crude characters, and plenty of savagery. But there was something very humane about the main character which made me want to root for her. I was sucked into the story and I'm still not sure if it has spit me out, yet.

Nadia knows she is different from everyone else. She is constantly reminded, by everyone: her family, the doctors she sees, the sweepers that patrol the streets. In a place where a person's identity is found in the imprints of one's eyes, Nadia is constantly hounded due to the fact that she has no imprint. She has no prior identity. She has lived no past life before this one. That makes her a strange girl, indeed.

Diesel is dangerous. And crude. But he is also incredibly smart. When he comes across a young woman with no past lives, he sees her eyes as a blank canvas. One that could help him to accomplish his task. What task, you ask? Well, Diesel is also very good at keeping secrets, too. You never really know what he's up to or whether he can be trusted.

Yet, Nadia has no choice but to try to trust Diesel, if she is going to escape a certainly fatal predicament. And once alone in society, she finds that the dark and mysterious man just might be the only one she can trust. She knows his motives are about as impure as they could get, but at least he wants to keep her alive. For now.

This book both surprised and annoyed the life out of me! I couldn't put it down but I also was afraid to keep swiping the digital pages. If something bad could happen to our characters... it did. The suspense was strong enough to cut with a knife, several times over. I was on edge the entire time. I usually only get that way when I watch horror movies. Kudos to Jacinta Maree for causing my nerves to want to explode! :)

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In closing... 
Fast paced and a thrill from start to finish. Five nerve-killing suns!