Thursday, October 31, 2013

REVIEW: Redemption

Synopsis: Reya Sinclair is a Redeemer of Souls. Her mission is to give Earth’s most depraved sinners a shot at redemption just before they are slated to die. Her own redemption is on the line as she fulfills her duties, leaving a trail of dead bodies in her wake. It’s all going perfectly well until one detective takes notice, possibly bringing her salvation to a halt. Thane Driscoll is a good cop who’s seen too many bad guys get away, including the man who murdered his father. He exacts his own style of justice, even if it costs him his humanity. A string of mysterious deaths leads him to a woman who’s not quite human and might hold the key to finding his father’s killer. When death and shadows descend, New York City becomes a battleground for the forces of light and dark. As the body count rises and sparks fly between them, Reya and Thane race to uncover a terrible truth. Can one man hell-bent on revenge and one woman determined to save her eternal soul be enough to keep the planet from spiraling into darkness?

I get this book through Netgalley and I must admit that at first, I requested it because of the beautiful cover it has. The New York background and Reya in the roof with the darkness falling from the sky fits perfectly with the story plot. But I have to say that I really requested it because of the synopsis. I love all the paranormal stuff and the idea of a redeemer of souls is really creative.

As I said, the story line is really original, I haven´t read anything like that before. I loved the book from the very beginning, when Reya first appears with her sassy and mysterious attitude, I liked her famous sentence “I´m here to tell you your sins.” She is mysterious, brave, adventurous, sexy and caring, and if I haven´t already bought my costume I would have disguised as Reya, maybe next Halloween. There are not many characters but they are all well developed. When I first met Thane I didn´t know if I was going to like him or not, I thought he was older than his age because of his personality, he is kind of grumpy.
I didn´t expect to be a sequel because for me the ending was really good. But I´m happy to read more about Thane and Reya.

Redemption is a fast- paced read, that will hook all the paronormal lovers from the very beginning. I would really recommend it.


Sinopsis: Reya Sinclair es Redentora de almas . Su misión es dar a los pecadores más depravados de la Tierra una oportunidad de redimirse justo antes de su muerte. Su propia redención está en el borde a la vez que cumple sus obligaciones, , dejando un rastro de cadáveres a su paso . Todo va perfectamente hasta que un detective se da cuenta , posiblemente llevando su salvación a su fin. Thane Driscoll es un buen policía que ha visto a demasiados malos escapar , entre ellos el hombre que asesinó a su padre. Él impone su propio estilo de justicia , incluso si le cuesta la humanidad. Una serie de misteriosas muertes le lleva a una mujer que no es muy humana y la cual podría ser la clave para encontrar al asesino de su padre. Cuando la muerte y las sombras descienden , la ciudad de Nueva York se convierte en un campo de batalla para las fuerzas de la luz y la oscuridad. A medida que aumenta el número de muertos y las chispas vuelan entre ellos , Reya y Thane están en una carrera para descubrir una terrible verdad . ¿Puede un hombre empeñado en la venganza y una mujer decidida a salvar su alma eterna ser suficiente para mantener el planeta de caer en una espiral hacia la oscuridad ?

Conseguí este libro a través Netgalley y debo admitir que al principio lo solicité por lo preciosa que es la portada. Nueva York de fondo y Reya agazapada en el techo de un edificio con la oscuridad que cae del cielo encaja perfectamente con el argumento de la historia . Pero tengo que decir que lo solicité por la sinopsis, me encanta todo lo paranormal y la idea de un redentor de  almas es realmente creativo.

Como he dicho, la línea de la historia es realmente original y es que no he leído nada parecido antes. Me encantó el libro desde el principio , cuando aparece Reya  con su actitud atrevida y misteriosa y me encantó  su famosa frase: " Estoy aquí para decirte tus pecados . " Ella es un misterio , valiente , aventurera , sexy y cariñosa . Y tengo que decir que  si no hubiera comprado ya mi traje me hubiera disfrazado de Reya , tal vez el próximo Halloween. No hay muchos personajes, pero todos ellos están bien desarrollados. Cuando conocí a Thane no sabía si me iba a gustar  o no , pensé que era más viejo que su edad debido a su personalidad y es que siempre parece estar de mal humor.

Redemption es una lectura de ritmo rápido, que enganchará a todos los amantes de lo paranormal desde el principio, que recomiendo leer encarecidamente.




Dream Slayer Book Blitz

Synopsis: When your dreams come true, sometimes you get more than you bargained for... Natalie Johnson has always dreamed she’s someone else; calm, beautiful, in control. A chosen warrior with a maniacal arch nemesis and a dreamy boyfriend, the type that can make your knees melt and your heart quiver. Real life is much different. She’s tormented by a bully and endures the sharp tongue of her father, but finds solace in her dreams. When her bully ends up dead, de ja vu from a dream hits her hard as everything around her begins to fall apart. Whatever killed Sarah in her dreams is now in reality, hunting her from the shadows. And it wants her dead. Somehow as the lines between reality and nightmare blur, Natalie must discover hidden strength to pull her friends and family back from the brink of madness.
Synopsis: Since becoming employed by a supernatural protection agency, Natalie Johnson's life has been more interesting than ever. While most teens are working on their summer tans, Natalie works on slaughtering the undead lurking just outside her town's border. The workload takes more than just a toll on her love life, it dampens her spirit and her health, as the town is plagued by a mysterious murderer intent on stealing the residents' souls. Natalie's investigation is hampered by her declining health and the sicker she gets, the more inadequate she feels. Guilt over her inability to act, weighs heavily on Natalie's shoulders during a time when her strength is needed more than ever. As some of those closest to her begin to lose faith, she must make the hardest stand yet to save the soul of the one person she can always count on: The Slayer.
Synopsis: Protection, murder, deception.... No one can know Natalie works for a supernatural protection agency and is charged with protecting Meadow’s Creek from vampires. But as their numbers swell, their presence doesn't go unnoticed throwing her town under the microscope from the local government and the FBI. Natalie’s job is pushed even further into the shadows where she must dodge the police, concerned citizens and even her own parents. Meanwhile a deadly plague grips the town and Natalie suspects it’s more than just a hacking cough. While the stress of working overtime erodes her relationships she will race against time, illness, to face a familiar enemy, save an old friend, and stop an undead seize that wants nothing more than to suck Meadow’s Creek dry.
AUTHOR BIO:
Author of the YA Dream Slayer series, Jill loves to blend horror, comedy, the supernatural, and love, through her novels. A fan of genre blending, her work strives to cross boundries, but most of all strives to entertain.
She loves soft cuddly cats, warm blankets, and paranormal romances.Jill resides in Massachusetts, is constantly renovating her home that she shares with her husband, young daughter, and two skittish cats.




EXCERPT:


Tristan beamed. “You’ve grown so much this past year. There was a time you would never be able to say something like that.”
Natalie grew taller under his gaze. “I get my strength from you.”
“No, you don’t. You’re Nat. You’re strong all by yourself, princess.”
“I like it when you call me that.” Natalie said softly.
“It’s true. You’re even better than a Disney princess. You’re the Miller princess.”
Natalie’s heart leapt and tumbled in a way that was special; new. “I’m yours?”
“Uh-huh and there’s something I want to give you. I wanted to wait until it was special, but you look like you could use some cheering up.”
“Give me?” Natalie was surprised. “Did you get me a present?” She bounced lightly.
Tristan fished around inside his pocket and finally pulled out a small box; it was a small velvet box. Natalie saw ones like it on television all the time and in her sister’s bedroom. Her head spun, wondering what could possibly be inside such a box.
“I wanted to do this at that fancy restaurant last week, but it was still on layaway.” Tristan flipped the box open.
Natalie gawked at the silver ring. It was a simple band and crusted on all sides with jagged cuts of gems in a rainbow of colors. She never knew anything could be so beautiful or that anyone would ever think enough to get something so nice just for her.

“I know it seems kind of dorky, but when I saw it, I thought, that’d be perfect for Nat. I could see how it’d look on your finger. You never ask for anything. You just do this incredible, responsible job and you never ask for anything nice. The way you were just now with your dad…I guess I never saw how much responsibility you really have. I need you to know, Nat, I’m serious about this thing. Us.”



Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Special Halloween Guest Post: Insidius 2

Halloween, here you are! The most terrifying day of the year has come and, as always, I suppose we will have our TV full of horror movies among other things. Today, I want to make my little contribution and recommend the last movie I saw in the cinema: Insidious, chapter 2. But obviously, to understand it, it’s necessary to see the first one. Sincerely, I don’t know which one I like the most.


I may be weird, but I look for some depth in horror movies. I don´t like the typical ones overloaded of frights and sudden rises of music which make your heart jump out of your chest but then, when you go out of the cinema, leave you as you had come. And if you see it in your house it’s even worse, because the frights aren’t so much and you see more clearly that plot is very poor.

Insidious is a great movie, no matter the point of view. Maybe the first one seems slower because of the frights, but the second part gives you no rest. And how it’s not going to be a good movie when it has such wonderful scriptwriters: James Wan and Leigh Whannell. Perhaps these names don’t ring a bell, but the saga “Saw”, which has the same inventors, definitely does.
So what do we have? A movie without relief, with a perfect script and with allusions to scenes of the first part; scenes we haven’t even given importance to. The plot is the following one: in the first part we find a family made by the father, the mother, two sons and a baby born daughter. One day Dalton, the eldest brother, seems not to want to wake up and he falls into a supposed coma. What we know later is that he is in fact able to make out-of-body experiences and leave his physical form behind, and in one of those several experiences, he got lost and he can’t come back. Even worse, there are other spirits eager to occupy his place. So his father, who in his childhood was also able to have these experiences even he can’t remember it, has to look for him in the other world. Unfortunately, he returns with the company of a spirit, and old woman who wandered around him when he was a little boy.
So in the second chapter we know the story of Josh, the father, and of the spirit who wanted to enter in his body. I can’t tell anything else because otherwise I would spoil the movie, but I just say that it has incredible turns of the screw, consequences of the brilliant brains of the scriptwriters. And these changes present the story from other perspective you haven’t even imagined. If you mix all these facts with the great actors who go with the movie, you get an amazing result. Who is afraid of ghosts? I bet after seeing this movie, you will be afraid even of your bed.



Halloween, aquí estas! El día más terrorífico del año ha llegado y como siempre supongo que nos encontraremos la tele llena de pelis de miedo, entre otras cosas. Yo hoy quiero hacer mi pequeña aportación y recomendar la última que fui a ver al cine: Insidious 2. Pero claro, para entenderla hay que ver la primera. Sinceramente, no sé cuál de las dos me gusta más.
Seré rara, pero yo busco algo de profundidad en las películas de miedo. 
No me gustan las típicas llenas de sustos y subidones de música que hacen que se te salga el corazón del pecho pero luego, una vez que sales del cine, te dejan igual que como has entrado. Y si las ves en casa es peor, porque los sustos no son para tanto y ves con más claridad que el argumento se queda bastante cojo.
Insidious es un peliculón, se mire por donde se mire. Puede que la primera parezca más parada por los sustos, pero la segunda no te da tregua. Y cómo no va a ser una buena peli si cuenta con unos guionistas buenísimos: James Wan y Leigh Whannell. Puede que los nombres no digan mucho, pero la saga de “Saw”, que cuenta con los mismos creadores, seguro que sí.
Así que qué tenemos? Una película sin descanso, con un guión redondo y con alusiones a escenas de la primera parte a las que ni siquiera habíamos dado importancia. El argumento es el que sigue : en la primera parte nos encontramos con una familia formada por el padre, la madre, dos hijos y una niña recién nacida. Un día Dalton, el hijo mayor, parece no querer despertar y entra en un supuesto coma. Lo que sabemos más adelante es que en realidad él es capaz de realizar viajes astrales y dejar su forma física atrás, y en uno de esos viajes se perdió y no puede regresar. Por si esto fuera poco hay otros espíritus deseosos de ocupar su lugar. Así que su padre, que también fue en su infancia viajero astral aunque no lo recuerde, tiene que ir a buscarlo al otro mundo, con tan mala suerte que trae un espíritu de vuelta, una anciana que le rondaba cuando era pequeño.
Así que en la segunda parte conocemos la historia de Josh, el padre, y del espíritu que le rondaba. No puedo contar nada más por no chafar la historia, pero solo digo que tiene unas vueltas de tuerca increíbles, fruto del brillante cerebro de estos dos guionistas, que te presentan la historia desde otra perspectiva que no habías ni imaginado. Si todo esto lo mezclas con los grandes actores que acompañan la película, obtienes un resultado asombroso. Quién tiene miedo a los espíritus? Seguro que después de verla tendrás miedo incluso a dormir.

Scarred Love Book Blitz


Synopsis: “I am certain, without any doubt, she was meant to be in my life. We belong to each other. I spent too much of my time consumed with what everyone else thinks of my feelings for Darcie, but the truth is, it was always supposed to be this way.” ~Reggie Evans Darcie Claiborne spent several years of her young life living with a monster, always fearing what he would do next. Clasping onto her last ounce of hope, Darcie releases a scream. It’s her final attempt to live; to survive the villain of her reality. Sweeping her up in his arms, Darcie’s knight in shining armor rescues her from the hell she’s been living; from the stepfather she’s feared for all those years. Reggie Evans has been forced to grow up before he’s ready when his mother dies of an overdose, leaving him responsible to raise his younger brothers. One fateful night, Reggie jogs by an old, run down house and discovers a young girl clinging to life as she screams for help. Three years later, Darcie is healing and always protected by the man who saved her, but now she’s fighting with something she isn’t prepared to face. The growing love for the man who saved her life three years ago, the same man who’s nine years older. All the while, Reggie fights to protect Darcie from the demons of her past and new ones of her present. **Mature Content Warning** 17+ for language and sexual content**


AUTHOR BIO: M.S. Brannon was born and raised in the Midwest. She still resides there today with her wonderful husband and son. When she is not writing or reading, M.S. Brannon spends time with her family, watching movies, and discovering new music. She writes romance because she believes love and heartache is the rawest emotion one can
experience.

  B&N
EXCERPT:
Darcie
Suddenly, I am transported back in time to three years ago. The feeling of being pinned down by my arms and legs, the feeling of a man’s weight restraining me and the inability to breathe flashes into my mind. I start to violently shake my head from side to side. My breathing gets short and fast. Without even realizing it, I start to scream; just like I did the night he planned to touch me.
Jake freaks out and quickly releases my body from under his. “Shit, Darcie, I’m sorry. I forgot how you get.”
I’m still screaming, unable to move. I’m frozen to the carpet. I’m still in that house. Lying on that urine soaked bed.
Salvation arrives.
Reggie appears out of the nowhere. He kneels down beside me. His hands are wiping the anger away from my face as he whispers into my ear, “Shhh, Darcie. It’s okay. I won’t let him hurt you again, never again. As long as there’s breathe left in my body, he will never harm you again.” His voice is all I need to hear. My eyes begin to focus. My brain begins to register the only true protector I’ve had in my life.


Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday- Las 10 portadas más terroríficas

Azahara´s picks:

 Flashy Fiction 1&2 by Jen Wylie and Sean Hayden: Have you seen the awesome creepy cover? Maybe I´ll make up like that for next Halloween, what do you think?

Flashy Fiction 1&2 de Jen Wylie and Sean Hayden: ¿Habéis visto esta portada increíblemente horripilante? Igual me maquillo así para el próximo Halloween ¿qué os parece?


Pretty Dark Nothing by Heather L.Reid: The cover fits perfectly the story and I really like the mysterious background.

Pretty Dark Nothing de Heather L.Reid: La portada va perfecta con la historia y me gusta mucho el fondo misterioso.


Hawksmoor by Peter Ackroyd: I hated the book, it was really hard and difficult to read, but the cover is really awesome.

Hawksmoor de Peter Ackroyd:  Odie el libro, era muy difícil y pesado de leer, pero la portada es realmente genial.

My Soul to Keep by Sean Hayden: Those white and lifeless eyes are really scary, don´t you think?

My Soul to Keep de Sean Hayden:  Esos ojos blancos sin vida dan realmente miedo, ¿no creéis?






                                       Juliet's picks:



It by Stephen King. I have chosen a Spanish edition but every cover with a clown on it is just terrifying. I wonder... does any kid in the world actually like clowns?

It (Eso) de Stephen King. He elegido una edición española pero cualquier portada con un payaso es aterradora. Yo me pregunto... ¿de verdad hay algún niño al que le gusten los payasos?

The Curse of Camp Cold Lake (Goosebumps series) by R. L. Stine. Who doesn't remember these books? Some of them were really scary!

El Campamento del Lago Maldito (serie Pesadillas) de R. L. Stine. ¿Quién no se acuerda de estos libros? ¡Algunos daban mucho miedo!

Night of the Living Dummy (Goosebumps series) by R. L. Stine. Ok, these books were supposed to be for children but this cover is most certainly not!

La Noche del Muñeco Viviente (serie Pesadillas) de R. L. Stine. Vale, se supone que estos libros eran para niños, ¡pero esta portada no lo es!

The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty. Most of you will probably know the movie. And maybe after seeing this cover you don't even want to get close to the book. Understandable.

El Exorcista de William Peter Blatty. La mayoría conoceréis la película. Y seguramente después de ver esta portada no querréis acercaros al libro. Comprensible.

The House of Dead Maids by Claire B. Dunkle. This apparently is a kind of ghostly prequel to Wuthering Heights. Sounds interesting but the cover somehow tells us is probably not a book to pick up at night :S

The House of Dead Maids de Claire B. Dunkle. Parece ser que es una especie de pre-cuela de fantasmas de Cumbres Borrascosas. Suena bien pero la portada de alguna forma dice que no es un libro para leer de noche :S

The Mist by Stephen King. Yeah, Stephen King again, no wonder why he is the king of horror!

La Niebla de Stephen King. Sí, Stephen King de nuevo; ¡no hay duda de que es el rey del terror!






Monday, October 28, 2013

"Die of Envy" Giveaway / Sorteo Muérete de envidia

To celebrate this terrorific week, we are doing a thematic Halloween week. Every day we are going to post something related with this festivity: book recommendations, giveaways, films...
Today, we bring you a giveaway in collaboration with our "blog godmothers" The Itzel Library, they did all the hardwork, we entered in the last minute because they are really nice. So be sure to go and follow them!


To enter the giveaway:
- Fullfill the rafflecopter
- You have to a be a follower of The Itzel Library and Living In Our Own Story, either by email GFC, or bloglovin. It is compulsory to follow both blogs.
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Para celebrar esta semana terrorífica, vamos a hacer una semana con la temática de Halloween. Cada día vamos a publicar una entrada relacionada con esta festividad: recomendaciones de libros, sorteos, películas...
Hoy os traemos un sorteo en colaboración con nuestra "blog madrinas" The Itzel Library, ellos hicieron todo el trabajo, nosotras entramos en el último minuto porque son realmente majas, ¡así que aseguraos de ir y seguirlas!
Para entrar en el sorteo:
-Llenar el rafflecopter
-Ser seguidores de The Itzel Library y Living In Our Own Story, por email, GFC, Bloglovin'.

An Ice Princess Heart Book Blitz + Giveaway

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Title: An Ice Princess Heart ( A Shard of Ice Novella)

Author: Alivia Anders



When a string of men vanish without a trace along the coast of France, Lilix Morgan seeks to uncover the source of the mysterious deaths. Aided by four other immortal Originals, they comb the coast, only to find out the horrible dark truth; one of them is the culprit.

An Ice Princess Heart is the first book in a novella series leading up to the release of A Shard of Ice on April 14, 2014.






001FULLFRONTcopyTHEIR SOULS, REAWAKENED.


When 13-year-old Lilix Morgan is found alive and floating on a bed of ice at sea, everyone counts it a miracle. Kidnapped nearly four weeks earlier, she remembers nothing of her mysterious abduction. When she tries to remember what happened, she hears only a melody – a faint and delicate set of notes, strung together in a tune she doesn’t understand.

THEIR POWER, UNMATCHED.

 A year later and desperate to put the lingering nightmares of her past behind her, Lilix crosses the country to enroll at Baelmorte Academy, aiming to become the violinist she once dreamt of. Things seem to be finally going well, and Lilix settles into a routine of sheet music and inspiration among new friends.

Then the dreams start.

The melody and night terrors she thought she’d left behind return with a vengeance, threatening to ruin her fragile version of normalcy. Then an unlikely ally tells her that she isn’t alone. That there are others just like her, fighting to hide their own shocking truths from coming to light. That they know who she is, and what she’s been through. Now, accompanied by four other girls, Lilix discovers her nightmares are larger than a single trauma; they’re a window to a hidden part of her soul, a place of immense power with a destiny that cannot be ignored.

THEIR BATTLE, IS ONLY BEGINNING.

 With this knowledge comes a new and frightening reality. For Lilix has been reawakened to stop an age-old enemy, one thought to have been destroyed centuries ago. Trapped by her destiny, Lilix is torn between what feels right and what she remembers. Her memories tell her of a star-crossed love waiting to be reunited, of friendships and trust broken in the past. But can she save that love when reality brings her an enemy, and an evil that will be the undoing of them all if they don’t destroy it?

Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
About Alivia Anders

Alivia

Alivia Anders was thirteen when she fell headfirst into the world of internet fanfic and RPG-forum board sites that showed her the 'back door' into the world of writing. Four years and many hours spent glued to a computer screen later she found her true calling in writing.

Alivia currently lives with her family in her hometown of Coopersburg, PA. She frequently admits that if she wasn't so intolerant to dairy she'd live at her local ice cream shop called The Inside Scoop.
 
 

Sunday, October 27, 2013

BOOK BLITZ: Destiny

Title: Destiny (Brightest Kind of Darkness #3) 
Author: P.T. Michelle
Publication date: October, 2013
Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult
Synopsis: 
When destiny is on the line, will love be enough to light the way?
In order to save Ethan, Nara gets pulled deeper into his dark world, where everything she thought she knew about Ethan and herself turns on its head. Ethan and Nara turn up the heat with bone-melting seduction and heart-rending moments, but surprising revelations, lies, treachery, betrayal, and unimaginable evil will challenge their relationship and their future together. As the stakes rise, encompassing more than just her relationship with Ethan, will Nara make the ultimate sacrifice?


BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS BUY LINKS:


AUTHOR BIO:
P.T. Michelle is the author of the young adult series BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS. She keeps a spiral notepad with her at all times, even on her nightstand. When P.T. isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading or taking pictures of landscapes, sunsets and anything beautiful or odd in nature. 

Some Q&A:
Q: Ravens feature dominantly in the BKoD series, which is definitely different from vampires, werewolves and the like we've seen in a lot of popular paranormal books. What made you choose to write about ravens?

PT: I've always been fascinated by ravens. The lore about them is so interesting. Ravens have been on many of my previous book covers and are mentioned in passing or are part of the storyline in past books. They just weren't the main storyline. In BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS, ravens finally take front and center. :)

Q: BKoD is listed as a YA series, but DESTINY could definitely fall into the New Adult category. Tell us more about that; give us the scoop on the smexy stuff. :) 
PT: My goal in writing the BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS series was to write a series that both upper teens and adults would enjoy equally. I've written the stories in the series based on Nara and Ethan's age and the progression of their relationship as it deepens. That's the reason things heat up as me move from book 1 to book 2 and then on to book 3. 

Q: How many books do you plan for the BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS series? 
PT: Right now the plan is four books. Depending on how the last book unfolds, there may be a spin off. I'm leaving the possibilities open. :)

Excerpt:
Ethan leans against the sanctuary’s doorway, shaking his head. “I don’t understand, Nara. How did you get all these ravens to follow you here?”
I hold my hand out to Patch, who pecks at it. “Hey, be nice,” I say softly. The raven dips his head and puffs up his neck feathers, making me laugh. “Show off.”
As soon as I turn to address Ethan, he pushes off the doorway, alarm in his gaze. “Nara, watch out!”
A flutter of black appears in my periphery right before Patch lands on my shoulder, his bird feet gripping my jacket. I smirk and fold my arms. “It’s all right. He would never hurt me.”
Ethan’s forehead crinkles. “Ravens can be unpredictable.”
“Not as much as you might think.” I gesture toward Patch, who’s currently swaying back and forth on my shoulder. “Think of Patch…of all those like him as an extension of you.”
He crosses his arms and shakes his head. “I know I have a connection to ravens, but they’re just birds.”
“Oh really?” The one way I know we’ve connected in the past was when Ethan thought about me. I bite my lip and tell myself this is to help him remember. “Think about touching me.”
A sensual smile tilts his lips. “I’d rather do that than think.”
Okay, maybe this isn’t the best idea, considering I’m supposed to be keeping my distance from him. Then again, it’s the only one I’ve got. I purse my lips. “Just do it.”
“Fine.” His lips quirk, and as I see all kinds of sexy thoughts scrolling across his face, the birds begin to titter and hop around as if agitated, but nothing else happens.
“Concentrate.” I huff, setting my hands on my hips. “Walk outside the sanctuary behind the wire.”
Ethan grunts, but does as I ask. “Why am I out here?”
I nod to the fence between us. “Pretend you can see me but you’re unable to reach me.”
“How is this any different from reality?”
Ethan. Now, think about what you’d do if nothing stood between us.”
I ignore the scowl on his face. “Close your eyes.”
As Ethan let’s his eyes slowly close, I do the same.
“I don’t like this.”
The hurt in his voice pulls at my heart. I can tell he’s talking about more than this exercise.
“Just…think about me, about us,” I say. “Imagine what you’d think about if we could only talk on the phone. What would you wish for?”
“You. With nothing between us.”
His wish, full of heat and want, carries on the sharp cold wind whipping through the bare trees. The longing wraps me in a layer of warmth, tugging at my heart, making my body tingle.

Friday, October 25, 2013

BLOG TOUR: Descent, Review + Guest Post + Giveaway



Descent
by C.L. Roman

Cheri Roman is a writer, editor, teacher, wife, mother, grandmother and friend, in whatever order works best in the moment. Most days you can find her on her blog, The Brass Rag, or working on the next novel in her fantasy series, Rephaim. Cheri lives with her husband and two Chihuahuas in St. Johns, Florida.





Genre: Epic Fantasy
Publisher: Brass Rag Press
Release Date: July 1, 2013
Synopsis: When Captain Fomor leads his unit of six angelic warriors to Earth in an attempt to escape the war in Heaven, not only do they unwittingly set into motion the age of legends, but they must face an inescapable evil that threatens to destroy them, the humans they fall in love with, and the Earth itself.

Creating a new life on antediluvian Earth is no where near as simple as Fomor’s team had hoped it would be. A tragedy occurs early in their sojourn that convinces the seven that they must avoid both humans and fallen angels. But when they unexpectedly meet with the Nephilim, a tribe of unusual humans with unknown origins, the results are unprecedented. However, falling in love with humans is the least of The Unit’s problems.
Mankind is busily descending into a maelstrom of violence and profane religion. The Fallen, angels transformed into demons by their rebellion, have regrouped and are using the tattered remnants of their power to prey upon humankind in horrific ways. Not only is a demon demanding human sacrifice in a nearby village, but the world is careening towards a global disaster that not even The Unit can stop.
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Excerpt

You must choose now.”
Captain Fomor’s quiet voice echoed against stone walls. He stood facing Second Lieutenants Gant and Phaella in the long, stone hall of the unit’s barracks. Floor to ceiling windows were spaced along the hallway to admit a pale, wavering light. Dormers at the top of each casement were open to admit fresh air and the sweet scent of the gardens outside. Opposite the windows, spaced widely along the wall, were doors that he knew opened onto meeting rooms and domiciles, and, at the far end, a set of double doors that led to the dining hall.
Outside, the faint sounds of battle drew minutely closer through the flickering light. Gant raked strong fingers through his black curls and turned hazel eyes to assess Phaella’s reaction. They were a matched pair, even calling each other “brother” and “sister,” though there was not, could not be, any such blood tie between them. In truth, their relationship was more like that of siblings than co-workers or fellow soldiers. Created at the same time, they might have been cast from the same mold with similar abilities and talents. Even their thought patterns matched more often than not.
Both sported a compact, athletic build and olive skin. Black, curly hair topped attractive, long nosed faces with strong jaw lines and dark, expressive eyes. The resemblance didn’t stop with the physical. The pair possessed a keen intelligence and were as loyal and steadfast as dogs but with a fierceness in battle that bore greater resemblance to the wolves Sabaoth had created than to those companion helpers of human kind. It pained Fomor to require them to make this choice.
What you ask is not easy Captain Fomor.” Phaella avoided her captain’s eyes by keeping her own on the floor as she toyed with her long, black braid. After a moment she looked at him, “Sabaoth has not even called us yet.”
Sister,” Gant reached out to put a gentle hand on her arm. “Would it be better to wait until He summons us into battle, and disobey Him?”
Phaella’s breath sucked in, her dark eyes widening as she shook her head.
Gant turned back to his captain. “What of Sena?”
Lieutenant Sena waits for us below,” Fomor replied. “She, Volot and Jotun have chosen not to fight in this war.” An explosion, perhaps two hundred cubits outside the corridor, rocked the trio and sent smoke drifting into the wide hall. Fomor ignored the interruption, merely brushing a few strands of black hair out of his eyes before continuing. “Adahna went ahead to find a sheltered area where we can settle in for…” he stopped. It was hard to admit, even to himself, that he didn’t know how long they would need to shelter on Earth. “She asked me to remind you that we are all children of the same maker. It is not right for siblings to kill one another.”
Trouble clouded Phaella’s gaze. “Still, to disobey…”
For the first time Fomor’s pale skin reddened slightly and his voice held a cold edge. “We cannot disobey an order that has not been given. This is the point Phaella. To leave before it is given.”
A trumpet sounded outside, followed by another detonation, closer this time, and the air became dense with smoke.
Decide quickly, or the call will come, and it will be too late.” Fomor spun on his heel, the fastenings on his boots glinting in the dim light, and shifted, disappearing in a flash of green sparks.
Phaella and Gant stared at one another, misery shared, but not lessened. How did one choose between abandoning Sabaoth and fighting, perhaps killing, fellow angels? It was as if a father were asking his children to fight one another; an impossible choice.
In the end Gant reached out his hand, “I cannot leave Sena.”
Phaella’s smile was dim, but determined. She gripped his fingers with her own, “And I will not leave you, brother.” A third blast struck the hall, raining bits of marble and dust down upon the siblings until the dark blue of their tunics looked gray.
Well then, sister, time to move?” Gant forced a grin and the two stepped together into the fog shrouded corridors of the Shift. Light and sound from the hall they left behind was cut off as suddenly and effectively as a slammed door. Cold pressed against their skin through the fluid dark, while frigid gray fog probed their faces, pressed against lips and eyes, clinging and trailing behind as they moved through what seemed to be an endless, black expanse.

Guest Post:

Starting out as a fiction writer: Five things you should know.

My official writing career started seventeen years ago with the publication of two short stories in Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr. magazines. When I got the acceptance letter I was ecstatic. I may have squealed a little. I know I danced.
It’s been a long and interesting ride since then, some of it uphill, some down, through dark country and sunlit scenery. I regret none of it because it brought me here. But there are a number of things I’d like to have known when I first started out.
1)      Trust yourself. If a plot point, character or editor isn’t working out, be brave enough to step away from them.  Worthy characters and plot points may find homes in future work and a good editor is worth their weight in pages. Don’t waste your time on less.
2)      Be patient. There are seventeen years and a lot of lessons learned between my initial success and my most recent publication. I’m only unusual in that the first story I submitted was accepted. Most authors have several finished manuscripts that will never see the light of day. It’s called honing your craft. Make time for it.
3)      You need honest feedback, even if it hurts. There is a special form of blindness which most of us succumb to in regards to our writing. A good critique group can heal you of it, if you let them.
4)      Most people view writing as a hobby, not a real job. That’s fine as long as you understand that they are wrong. Writing well requires diligent, sweat inducing WORK. Don’t expect writing to be easy, and don’t let non-writers make you feel like a dilettante.
5)      Guard your writing time with your life, because it won’t come automatically. Even your most supportive friends and family members will, often unintentionally, pull you away from your work because they don’t understand that above every other tool, writing requires time. Don’t be surprised if your insistence on holding writing time sacrosanct meets with puzzlement, or even resentment. And try not to be offended. But don’t give in either. You’ll be miserable if you do, and that isn’t helpful for anyone.

The more I write, the more I need to write. The less I write, the easier it is to put it off. It’s a simple lesson, but the price of not learning it is high. The nagging ache of what you haven’t written only gets worse with time, and can only be cured by setting the words free. These are some things I wish I’d known seventeen years ago. What do you wish you’d known, just starting out? 

My Review:


The 1st time I read the synopsis, I knew I wanted to read the book. I have a deep fascination for angels, when I saw it was about angels, I was sure I was going to like it.
Descent is a deep reading that will take the reader to the beginning of the time, it  is a kind of a re telling of the Bible but much more enjoyable, and even if you are not a believer you will like it.
The story has some flaws that  make me give it a 4. The beginning is really confusing, I even thought that the Messenger from the 1st chapter was the main character and when he didn't appear again I was kind of lost. The characters are presented at the same time and I didn't know who was who, it took me some time to clear that.
The chapter where the bad guys appear where a bit boring, I knew they where essential for the plot but I couldn´t  avoid jumping from line to line to arrive to the chapters of the  main characters.
But the good things super a los the flaws. The main characters are really good developed, some more than others because they don’t have the same amount of importance. I really liked Gant and Sena, there was a specific scene of both of them that melted my heart. They were really cute. The issue of love is wonderfully developed, I’m sure the author is a romantic because the love scenes were amazing, I even took note of some of the quotes.
The writing style is easy to follow though there were some terms that confused me, I don’t know if they were written in Hebrew or what but I think a glossary of terms would have been useful.

Descent is a really enjoyable read about friendship, loyalty, faith and love. It is well structure and easy to follow even if you haven’t read the Bible because everything is perfectly explained

“Then I think you need to start at the beginning because if that thing was your brother,
Fomor, then you cannot possibly be human. I need to know what it is I’ve given my heart to.”It was his turn to have his mouth drop open and her lips trembled into a thin, joyless smile.”


Gant shook his head, “Sena, I never thought to be a husband, let alone a father. It is not what I was made for. But I have loved you for a thousand years and I will love you for thousand more, and another thousand after that. What other blessing do I need?”




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