Showing posts with label excerpt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label excerpt. Show all posts

Monday, January 20, 2014

Rain's Reviews: Wide Open by Shelly crane


Wide Open by Shelly Crane

Wide Open (Wide Awake, #2)
~~~
Milo is trouble.

He lives it, breathes it. He embraces anything that numbs and takes his mind somewhere else, a world where his mother is herself and not just a shell, and his brother didn't almost kill her, severing any relationship they had. But more importantly, Milo drowns out the guilt for leaving his mother and not being able to forgive his brother. He drowns his pride and moves on to another girl and another party, pretending that life isn't moving on around him and he's stuck in the same place. He's stuck in the past and doesn't know how to let go.

Maya is trouble.

She's done the party scene and has had her fair share of close calls and handcuffs. Not the kinky kind. She's so over it all and fought like hell for that life to let go so she could move on. She now works as a teen counselor. Her life is better, but her life is empty. She has no one but her brother in the whole world left and he's sick with a disease that no medicine can cure.

When they meet, a romance that scares them both emerges, but the love you fight for is the love that can mend bridges, heal scars, and open closed hearts. They'll need each other, they'll want each other, they'll have each other.

But will it all come too late?~Goodreads

~~~

Review

Wide Open was surprisingly good, and I only say surprisingly because of it New Adult rating. I have always tried to avoid New Adult because of the inappropriateness of the romance but when this came out I did some research and decided to put it on probation. And when I started reading it, I didn’t stop.

Milo is a self loathing and hopeful guy. He has put himself through Hades and now that he has finally pulled himself back out he’s convinced that no one can love him, forgive him, or look at him without hating him and what he’s done. But despite this negative streak it doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to be forgiven or loved. And in those moments and actions when he is being the best guy he can be, when he’s not thinking of all his screw ups. and how horrible he thinks he is you love him so much it breaks your heart to see him ridicule himself. He is the sweetest most caring guy towards Maya that you can’t wait to see him fit all his pieces back together.

Maya has a past she isn’t proud of and secrets she doesn’t want anyone to know no matter how close she is to them. She is so strong and so broken your heart breaks all over again. ( All I’m saying is Shelly crane must get pleasure from making her readers depressed.) She has been sober for four years but her life isn’t getting easier and her future is looking impossible. She is defeated-or so she thinks. But when Milo walks in- well- you’ll have to swoon for yourself.

Milo and Maya are possibly the most tragic story and heart-felt story Mrs. Crane has ever written and I am so, so pleased I didn’t pass it up.

The New adult rating is mainly for issues with drugs and alcohol. The romance did not go al the way but did get fairly steamy.

~Rain

~~~

Quotes

"There is something seeing and something being seen."
~~~

Links

Monday, December 30, 2013

Blog Tour: Rapture by Quinn Loftis


Rapture (Elfin Series Book 2)


By Quinn Loftis

Synopsis


Triktapic, the deadly dark elf assassin, has been restored by the Forest Lords to his rightful place as king of the Elven realm. Now, he must face his former comrades as he attempts to stop Lorsan, king of the dark elves, from enslaving the human race. Lorsan has already begun distributing Rapture, the irresistible drink that destroys those who unknowingly become addicted to it. Will Cassie, his Chosen, be able to give Trik the strength he needs to face his dark past?

Meanwhile, Cassie’s best friend, Elora, is in a fight for her own life. Elora, her mother, Lisa, and a small band of light elves have traveled deep into the dark elf realm in hopes of rescuing Cassie and Trik. But their mission quickly turns into a battle for their own lives as they are surrounded by Lorsan and his warriors. Though outnumbered ten to one, the humans and elves fight heroically. They fight for a King once lost, but now found. They fight for the human realm that doesn’t yet know it is in need of saving. They fight for love; a love that has already been discovered and a love that is waiting to be revealed. Despite their valiant efforts, the band is captured and held captive by the dark elf king.

The peaceful world that Cassie and Elora knew is long gone, shattered by their realization that elves walk secretly among them, and are bent on their destruction. Soon, each of the girls will be forced to choose her own path. Cassie must decide to which world she belongs and Elora must decide if she will fight for a warrior hell bent on keeping her from his side.

Two species, human and elf, stand on the precipice of war, united in one goal; shatter the dark elf king’s plan, and unite a divided race under the rule of the one true King.
~~~

Review

Rapture is a spectacular read per usual when it comes to Quinn Loftis. All the characters are here. All giving you their POV and all making you swoon or crack up hysterically (or both) in one way or another. Except for Lorsan of course, but hey what did you expect *cringes inwardly*.

Cassie and Trik are back loving, laughing, and kicking elven butt. They are both darkness and rapture free and you get to finally see them interact with nothing between them. Except for, you know, a deranged elf king trying to take over the world and assassinate Trick. Pishaw, child's play, right?

Elora and Cush are swoon worthy and slightly infuriating. But that's for me to know you to find out, hehe.
" 'Your being Dramatic again, " Oakley said from behind her.
'Nobody asked you bro.' "
Their relationship is a great fit and I cannot wait to watch them progress in it.

The story is action packed and impossible to put down. Another win!
~Rain

Excerpt 


“No comments on saving the world, huh?” Elora asked sarcastically.
“I think it goes without saying that I and my sword are capable of saving the world,” Cush answered.
Elora was struck mute by the sheer confidence he exuded. She was trying really hard to not want him, and if he wasn’t so self-assured, handsome, calm under pressure, and funny—in a totally unexpected way—she’d be doing alright. But he was all of those things and he kept saying things that threw her off balance. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. Bad move genius, she told herself. Rule number one; do not look at the hotness. Okay, maybe this could work if she could just set up some ground rules for herself. She could call them: Rules to stay un-elfed. She mentally smiled at her made up title and then mentally kicked herself for basically have a conversation with herself, complete with laughing at her own jokes. She settled down into her seat without responding to his sharp, witty, and admittedly hilarious comment.
“Wake me when we get to the restaurant,” Elora said to no one in particular.
“Elora, it will take all of five minutes to get to a place to eat,” Lisa pointed out.
What Elora wanted to say was, that’s five minutes too many to be stuck in this ride with the only guy she had ever met that made her want to bat her eye lashes and giggle like a moron, but what she actually said was, “Five minutes of sleep is better than none.” Witty? No. Drama free? At least on the outside she was.

About The Author



Quinn lives in beautiful NW Arkansas with her husband, son, Doberman and cat (who thinks she is a ninja in disguise). She is beyond thankful that she has been blessed to be able to write full time and hopes the readers know how much all of their support means to her. Some of her hobbies include reading, exercising, crochet, and spending time with family and friends. She gives all credit of her success to God because he gave her the creative spirit and vivid imagination it takes to write.
~~~

Links




Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Rain's Review: Call Me Crazy by Quinn Loftis

Call Me Crazy by Quinn Loftis

Synopsis

“I’m looking out from inside the chaos. It must be a one-way mirror because no one seems to be able to see back inside to where I am. The looks on their faces, the judgment in their eyes, tells me everything I need to know. The most frustrating part about the whole messed up situation is that even though I’m the one that they stare at in shock, I am just as shocked as they are. I know no more than they do of why I lose control. What they don’t know is that I am more scared of myself than they could ever be.” ~ Tally Baker After a devastating turn of events, seventeen year old Tally Baker is admitted to Mercy Psychiatric Facility where she is diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. She has come to a place where she honestly believes that her life is over. Her mind tells her that she will never smile or laugh again, that she will never be normal again. It is in this unlikely place that she meets two people, different in every way, yet both critical to helping her realize that she has so much more living to do. Candy, a cantankerous sixty year old Mercy Psychiatric patient, is hell bent on driving everyone as crazy as she is. Candy shows Tally that, regardless of her diagnosis, the ability to push on and live her life to the fullest is her choice and hers alone. In the midst of Tally’s oftentimes humorous, sometimes heart-wrenching, escapades with Candy, a new patient is admitted to Mercy—a Native American woman named Lolotea. Along with this new patient comes a daily visitor, her son, Trey Swift. At first glance, it is obvious to Tally that he is incredibly handsome and unbelievably caring. But what she learns through her second glance, and many thereafter, is that there is much more to Trey than he ever lets on. It is during these daily visits that Trey and Tally build a friendship far deeper than either of them truly realize. With Trey, Tally feels for the first time since being admitted that someone is looking at her as a person and not as a disease. Trey begins to make it clear that he wants more than friendship, but she knows that she can never give him more. How can she, when she won’t even give him the truth? Tally doesn't tell Trey that she is a patient at Mercy, and she doesn't ever plan to. Her plans go up in flames when she finds out that Trey is a new student at her school, the school where her brokenness was found out in the floor of the girl’s bathroom in a pool of her own blood.~Goodreads

Review


Call Me Crazy was insane! Alright, I've made my lame joke. Now onto the review. I abso-friggin’-lutely loved-with all my book nerd heart-this book. The issue I find with a lot of the contemporary romance novels and some paranormal books is that the issues are mundane. Especially compared to epic quests and blood spilling battles that come along with most paranormal, fantasy, and sci-fi novels. But I did not have this problem with Call Me Crazy. Though the plot twists lacked Ms. Lotis’ usual MO of elf kings, witches, warlocks it didn't lack in intensity. The life and difficulties that came with Tally’s bipolar disorder and Trey’s home life kept me up until 3:30 am the day it came out. 
Tally is one of the two main characters. She is such a mix of personality traits that it can be hard to get a grasp on her. Once you do, however, you make such a deep emotional connection that I had a really hard time calling her out on her bad decisions. Tally in all of her Tally-ness is so lovable and surprisingly relate able. She is strong, determined, sarcastic and funny. But she is also self conscious and a little timid. 
Trey has got to be one of the most intense character I have ever “met” and that is coming from reading every single Quinn Loftis, and Shelly Crane book, the pteron series by Alyssa Rose Ivy and the Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. So with this being said I am sure you can imagine he is quite the protective, possessive, caring, fierce fellow. He reminded me quite a bit of Decibel from the Grey Wolves Series. I definitely fell for him. 
So all in all Tally and Trey= Awesome. Call Me Crazy= Another win for Quinn Loftis. 
~Rain
“I’ll remember that.”
“That I’m harsh?” She asked and her eyes flicker with curiosity. 
“No, I’ll remember to make my kiss worthy of the bases.”

I’m across the space that was between us and standing in front of Trey faster than I knew I could move. I smack her hand away [from his chest] and glare at her.
 “Back the hell up,” my voice is surprisingly calm considering the jealousy and anger that is pulsing through me. Amber stares at me with utter disdain and if I could even bring myself to care, I wouldn't. I feel a strong arm come around me and pull me against a firm stomach. I feel warm breath on my neck and nearly pass out when I feel lips just behind my ear.
“Good morning.” Trey whispers against it. 

Check out Call Me Crazy and connect with Quinn Loftis here:

Friday, May 31, 2013

Call Me Crazy - Release Day Blitz

Call Me Crazy

by Quinn Loftis


Alright y’all the highly anticipated contemporary romance from the incredible Quinn Loftis has arrived! Wild clapping and maybe a few fangirl screams later I am so excited to read this book.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Excerpt time! THE LIBERATOR by Victoria Scott

THE LIBERATOR EXCERPT
As you all know I think Victoria Scott is flippin' awesome! And when I saw this I knew I abso-freakin'-lutely had to show of y'all-My fellow Dante Walker Fangirls! And make sure to check out the Rafflecopter at the bottom!
Excerpt from THE LIBERTOR
By Victoria Scott

Monday, May 13, 2013

Blog Tour: Inception!!!


Inception Blog Tour









ABOUT INCEPTION:

The world is in danger. Mankind is sinking deeper into darkness it cannot understand

Demons are easily capturing souls as they lead men and women down dangerous paths from which there is no return, while Javan, one of the Fallen, seeks an ancient book and the power it promises. If he succeeds, humans — and the world as they know it — will be destroyed.

There is someone who is capable of stopping Javan... 

If she discovers him in time.

Gabrielle is one of the most powerful angels ever created, her job one of the most important. She has come to Earth to learn more about humans and what influences them, and to fight evil she sees growing at an alarming rate. She soon finds herself carelessly distracted with one human in particular, however. Lucas Watkins holds a promise of peace and love for Gabrielle that she never believed she could have again.

Caught between her new mortal ties and ancient immortal responsibilities, Gabrielle must race against what seems to be an ever-quickening clock to learn what she needs to know, uncover Javan’s plan, and find a way to stop him and all who live in Shadows.

Join Gabrielle and her allies in a story of love — past and present — fantastical beings, hidden realms, magic, fate, loss, and the fight of good versus evil in, The Reaping Chronicles.

Now for the totally intense sneak peak:

The demon who had acted as the leader released a deep, throaty growl. "Don't get too happy yet, little angel. We aren't done here. Not by a long shot."
            Gabrielle's smile faded as she suddenly felt the urge to be done with this, compelling her to make quicker work of her opponents than she had intended. Partially because she didn't want Phalen to be in even more awe of her, to have her then add to the tales of Gabrielle's might—there was enough story telling going on already—but, more than that, she wanted to get the I told you so from Amaziah out of the way.
            "Demon," Gabrielle said with an edge seeping into her tone, "I am most certainly done here. Playtime is over."
            Gabrielle did no more than raise her hands. A golden bow appeared in one hand, and three arrows tipped with crackling, white Holy Fire manifested in the other. With a swift motion, she pulled the arrows back as if they were one and let them loose. The targets fell to their knees before they took two steps. Matching expressions that held both pain and surprise gazed back at her. The Fallen slowly began to burn from within, consumed by the fires of Hell they would now never leave.
            The only demon who'd spoken maintained his targeted glare at Gabrielle. "Bitch!"
            Then his form succumbed to the death that came for him, turning him into nothing more than ember and ash.
            "For you," Gabrielle said in no more than a whisper to the space where he once stood, "I was The Reaper."
            Phalen stepped forward and looked at Gabrielle. "So . . . how many arrows can you use on different targets at once, anyway?"
            Gabrielle looked at Phalen. She'd tried not to inspire what was behind the look in Phalen's eyes as her friend waited for an answer to her question. Gabrielle just smiled and quickly looked away, focusing back on the area around her.
            Satisfied that the lingering stench and ash was the only remaining evidence of her fallen brethren and their conflict, knowing the storm would unleash rain upon the landscape—joining the ash with sand—Gabrielle turned and responded to Phalen's question.
            "It doesn't matter. Let's go"
            "Sure. Why does Yahuwah allow the Fallen to still use His weapons?"
            "Amaziah told me it's some deal He made with Ramai. To keep things as equal as possible with the war." Gabrielle considered the deal Yahuwah had made before continuing. "This war is more about humans than us. He wants humanity to win it for themselves by making the right choices on their own, not through his own power or ours. It would be very easy for us to wipe out the entire population of demons if they had no defense."
            "Hmm . . ." Phalen said. "Hey . . . do you know what he was talking about when he said he thought you were trying to find a book?"
            "No, but I need to. Maybe Amaziah knows."
            "So," Phalen began, her playful tone lightening the mood slightly, "that demon was pretty sure of himself, asking you to dance. What would you do if the Devil asked you?"
            Gabrielle smirked. "If the Devil asked me to dance, I'd tell him he couldn't handle me."
            As they returned to their human forms, Gabrielle glanced back to make sure everything looked as it had before the fight began. Satisfied, she descended into her temporary body. Together, they continued walking away from the crowd until they found sufficient cover to ascend.
            What Gabrielle couldn't have noticed on the island was a flock of crows hidden behind a veil of their own. They had observed the battle as it unfolded and ended—and listened closely to the angels' conversation after it was over. As Gabrielle and Phalen resumed their stroll, the flock took flight—disappearing into the heavy black clouds closing in on the coastline. A flash of lightning lit the dismal horizon as the last crow was enveloped in the storm's roiling shadows—as if it was embracing a lost love.

Time for the giveaway! :a Rafflecopter giveaway



ABOUT TEAL HAVILAND:

Teal Haviland lives in Tennessee with her daughter and her four-legged friends. She enjoys photography, travel, reading, music, cooking, daydreaming, writing (of course), and above all spending time with her family and friends.

Teal grew up with a love for anything fantastical or outrageous. After years of dreaming of worlds where fairies, angels, demons, and shape shifters (to name a few) exist, she finally decided to begin writing her stories down. Inception, book one in her seriesThe Reaping Chronicles, is her first published novel.


LINKS:
Goodreads author page ~ http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6548857.Teal_Haviland 

Goodreads The Reaping Chronicles ~ Inception page ~ http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16067691-inception

Facebook author page ~ https://www.facebook.com/authortealhaviland

Facebook The Reaping Chronicles page ~ https://www.facebook.com/thereapingchronicles

Twitter ~ https://twitter.com/tealhaviland

Author website ~ http://www.tealhaviland.com/