ARC Review: Building From Ashes by Elizabeth Hunter

Building From Ashes by Elizabeth Hunter

Series: Elemental World #1

Genre: Urban fantasy

Release date: October 23, 2012

Synopsis from goodreads

For a thousand years, powerful earth vampire Carwyn ap Bryn has served others. God. His family. His friends. But tragedy and loss disrupt his peaceful existence, causing him to question everything he has committed his eternity to.

Brigid Connor has known about vampires since they rescued her from a painful childhood. But not even their vast elemental power can save her from the demons that torment her.

As loyalties are tested and new paths are forged, a lurking danger slowly grows in the Elemental World. Carwyn and Brigid will learn that even secrets revealed can come back to haunt you when you least expect it.

My Thoughts: 

I love the world of Elemental Mysteries Elizabeth Hunter has created so it's only fair to say when I found out about the new series of Elemental World I just had to have it. Miss Hunter was very nice and sent me one of the arc's, it might have been because I had begged and poked till she gave in.

Carwyn is such an old vampire with the elemental power of earth  and very very different from Giovanni but charming nonetheless even though he prefers Hawaiian shirts and watching wrestling marathon with Gio just makes him more amazing. Brigid is different from any other character I have met so far, I have to admit it took me a bit to warmed up to her but I got there. She has had a damaged childhood and a very tough life and she has grown the most in this story among all the characters. I didn't know how this would play out Carwyn being such an 'experienced' for a lack of better words, vampire and Brigid being in her twenties I really hoped I wouldn't cringe. So kudos to Miss Hunter for making this so believable with her writing.

Building From Ashes is definitely worth reading if you are looking for a new urban fantasy to sneak in your reading, but without reading the Elemental Mysteries first there might references that would be hard to catch on to.

You can win a copy of Building From Ashes, by following this link. 

I give this:

About The Author

Elizabeth Hunter is the author and publisher of the Elemental Mysteries Series. She is a graduate of the University of Houston Honors College in the Department of English (Linguistics) and a former English teacher. A native of Central California, she now lives in Southern California with her husband, son, and an assortment of dogs. She enjoys reading, writing, travel, and bowling. Someday, she plans to learn how to scuba-dive. And maybe hang-glide ... but that looks like a lot of running. A Hidden Fire is her debut novel. 

Find out more about Elizabeth Hunter from her Website / Twitter / Goodreads

Review: iFrankenstein by Bekka Black

iFrankenstein by Bekka Black

Genre: Young adult, Paranormal

Released Date: September 16.2012

My copy: Received from the author

Synopsis from goodreads

Frankenstein comes to life for the wired generation.

Following her critically-acclaimed iDrakula, award-winning author Bekka Black breathes life into a modern re-telling of iFrankenstein, using only text messages, web browsers, tweets, and emails.

Homeschooled teenager Victor Frankenstein is determined to write his own ticket to independence: a chatbot to win the prestigious Turing prize and admission to the high tech university of his choice. He codes his creation with a self-extending version of his own online personality and unleashes it upon the internet. But soon he begins to suspect his virtual clone may have developed its own goals, and they are not aligned with Victor’s. The creature has its own plan, fed by a growing desire to win darker and more precious prizes: unfettered power and release from loneliness.

As the creature’s power and sentience grows and its increasingly terrible deeds bleed over from the online world into the real one, Victor must stop his creation before his friends and humanity pay the ultimate price.

My thoughts

This is the second cell phone novel I have read from Bekka Black. And like iDrakula this too was impossible to put down till the very end. iFrankenstein is the modern techie take of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein.

Over the years there have been allot of movies, series, plays based on the original book, I ought to know cause I am a big no HUGE Frankenstein fan. However from all the Frankenstein takes I have witnessed thus far, iFranktenstein is one of the most memorable one. I suppose if Frankenstein was a teenager in this time of era I imagine he too would be quite the genius and create a monster such as VV that lived in the internet.  

iFrankenstein is definitely something worth checking out if you haven't already. And if you are looking for more cell phone novels like iFrankenstein I would also suggest you check out iDrakula, another awseome text/email tale of Dracula. 

I give this

Books I have read from Bekka Black 

iDrakula by Bekka Black

About the author

After a childhood often spent without electricy and running water, Bekka escaped the beautiful wilderness of Talkeetna, Alaska for indoor plumbing and 24/7 electricity in Berlin, Germany. Used to the cushy lifestyle, she discovered the Internet in college and has been wasting time on it ever since (when not frittering away her time on her iPhone). Somehow, she manages to write novels, including the award-winning Hannah Vogel mystery series set, in all places, 1930s Berlin. The series has received numerous starred reviews and the first book, A Trace of Smoke, was chosen as a Writer’s Digest Notable debut.

She lives in Hawaii with her husband, son, two cats, and too many geckoes to count. iDrakula is her first cell phone novel.

Author's website/goodreads

ARC Review: Protecting Truth by Michelle Warren

Protecting Truth  by Michelle Warren

Series: The Seraphina Parrish Trilogy #2

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Release Date: October 6th, 2012

Synopsis from goodreads

Seraphina’s keeping a secret from her Wandering team: she’s perfecting her fighting skills. But telling Sam and Bishop the truth would only alert them to her plan: to go back in time, save her mom, and finish what she started. With the help of Turner, Bishop’s handsome twin, she progresses toward her goal but plummets deeper into dangerous territory where the lines of friendship and romance are blurred. One passionate kiss changes everything, leading Sera to unravel a shocking web of family secrets, heartbreaking ulterior motives, and sinister agendas. Love and lies collide in a haunting climax, where the truest souls may not survive.

My thoughts

Can I have the next book already! I simply can NOT wait to read the third book of the series. I honestly can not believe I have to wait another year before I have the third book in my hands. 

Protecting Truth picks up a few months after the ending of Wander Dust, answering many of my unanswered questions and yet creating many ones at it's leave. 

Seraphina has grown since Wander Dust, she is a little wiser, a bit more kick-ass and turning out to be strong Wanderer. I still swoon over Bishop, I do but Turner is GAHHH! Twins, yet so different from the other and it's so hard to choose. 

I won't go into the lengthy details of the book but I sure as hail will rave about just how much I loved it specially Turner and Bishop. End verdict? If you have read Wander Dust you must check out Protecting Truth and in case you still have not read the The Seraphina Parrish Trilogy yet, pick up Wander Dust and read it!!

I give this

The Seraphina Parrish Trilogy #1

Wander Dust by Michelle Warren

About The Author

Michelle Warren didn’t travel the road to writer immediately. First, she spent over a decade as professional illustrator and designer. Her artistic creativity combined with her love of science fiction, paranormal, and fantasy led her to write her first YA novel, Wander Dust. Michelle loves reading and traveling to places that inspire her to create. She resides in Maryland, in a historic Baltimore row-home, with her wonderful husband.

Website/Facebook/Goodreads/Twitter

Review: A Healing Heart by Melissa A. Hanson

A Healing Heart by Melissa A. Hanson

Genre: Young Adult, Romance

My copy: provided by the author

Released date: February 14, 2012

Synopsis from goodreads

On a bitter cold winter night Bailey Walsh’s family was killed in a traffic accident.  Two years later as she lives with her aunt and uncle in Southern California, Bailey is still plagued by the nightmares of that terrible night.  Everywhere around her are reminders of what she lost.  Even her aunt, in a cruel twist of fate, is not just her mom’s sister, but her identical twin. 

Babysitting Riley, a spunky two-year old, is a sweet distraction and one constant light in her life.  One day as she takes Riley to the park she meets Collin McKenna, a senior at her high school and her life is changed forever as he helps her find herself and realize her life is worth living.

As the romance between them grows her broken heart begins to heal. However, still nagging in the back of her conscious is the fear that her new found happiness could come crashing down and she could lose everything she loves, yet again. 

Outside forces begin to tear them apart and Bailey must learn to trust in herself and realize that she is worthy of happiness.  That sometimes love and healing comes in unexpected forms.

My thoughts

I am a sucker for good YA, I usually find myself reading YA with fluff and paranormal theme. A Healing Heart was a great change to that stereotypical reading.

What attracted me most to the book was the word building, and Melissa did a great job bringing her characters to life. Making them so believable. I simply adored reading about Collin and Bailey, my only complain is the story ended to soon.

What I struggled with was, sometimes character would go on a bit longer than necessary with their own monologue, making it hard to stay focused. Other than that it was a pretty solid.

If you are looking for a quick, well put together YA romance, A Healing Heart is worth a shot.

About the author

Melissa A. Hanson lives in Southern California, with her husband Eric and two sons, Cody & Cole. She attended Cal Poly Pomona and obtained her Bachelor of Architecture degree while working and starting her family. Aside from working as a professional architect, she is a scrapbooker and avid reader. “A Healing Heart” is her first completed novel.
A Healing Heart facebook page

ARC Review: Dominion by Melody Manful and Giveaway!

Dominion by  Melody Manful

Series: Guardian Angels series

Genre:YA, Paranormal

My Copy: From the awesome author

Release date: 

August 20, 2012

Synopsis from goodreads

I Dare You.
Look Over Your Shoulders.
Do You See Them?
They are behind you...
They are always behind you.

Abigail Cells had a nightmare the day before she met Gideon, the new guy in school who has every girl drooling just to be near him. In her nightmare, she was murdered by a magical creature. As she gets to know Gideon, she begins to remember pieces of her nightmare, and was shocked when Gideon turned out to be the creature from her nightmare. Who is Gideon really, should Abby allow herself to fall completely for him, or is he the next disaster waiting to happen?

My thoughts:

Before I go ahead and start ranting about what I thought about the book lemme just say, I haven't read anything quite like this before.

I am fascinated by the idea of angels and demons and after looking at that beautiful cover, I just had to read the book. The illustration itself represents a lot about the story. Even though Dominion is my first book with angels, (well not quite angels but Grandinians and Grantinians) I really enjoyed reading about the characters. 

Abigail isn't quite what I expected when I started reading Dominion, she was a surprise. Kindda sneaked up on me. Abigail is not a normal teenage girl, and like I said she kindda sneaked up on me. Gideon, here is one very twisted and sexy creature, that I liked reading about. No. Really. I did! He scares the life outta Abigail, and practically everyone, but I still likes him. It felt a bit like he was suffering from split personality disorder but heck, I liked him evil.

The author did an wonderful job bringing her characters to life and really awesome job with the twisty turns of the story that kept me guessing what's to come next. Recommended to readers who likes reading paranormal young-adult.

I give this:

About the author:

Melody Manful was born on the 8th of June 1994 in Tema, A town in Ghana. She started writing at a very early age and has been doing it ever since. We has two siblings, and lives in Denmark with her family. She loves music, reading and writing, and puts a great deal into making her friends happy.

Dominion is her first novel of the Guardian Angels Series.

Website ! Goodreads ! Facebook !

Dominion isn't just a awesome book, it has a really awesome original song as well. Melody was super nice and she offered my readers a free download of the theme song! To download the Guardian Angels original song, just add Dominion in your goodreads TBR pile.

Review: Devil's Luck by Carolyn Crane

Devil's Luck by Carolyn Crane

Series:The Disillusionists

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance, Mystery

My copy: from the author, Carolyn Crane

 Buy links

Smashwords

Nook

Synopsis from goodreads

THERE’S A THIN LINE BETWEEN LOVE AND DOOM.

No wager is too outrageous for Simon Fitzgerald, the most reckless of the Disillusionists. His dark secrets drive him to take increasingly extreme risks, but he’s never lived so quite so dangerously as when he hooks up with Midcity’s most powerful prognosticator. 

Fawna Brady is tormented by the destinies she sees for those around her. To Fawna, knowledge of the future is a cage she’d do anything to escape. She’s stunned to discover a taste of the freedom for which she yearns at the side of Simon, the one person in the world who despises everything she is, everything she stands for. 

Simon’s defiant attitude toward destiny captivates Fawna, but will her love destroy him? And will Simon rush headlong into the delicious doom she offers?

My thoughts

If you are a Disillusionist series fan, like me Simon is not a stranger to you. For me Simon Fitzgerald's flamboyant attitude has always been attractive. I was dying to read more about him ever since Miss Crane first introduced him in her books. 

In this novella, Devil's Luck we find out more about Simon and Fawna. Simon, who has no care in the world attitude has a depth that I never imagined. He pretty much doesn't give a shit about whatever is in his future. He is more determined to change his fate more than anything. Fawna in other hand has hard time giving up seeing everyone's fate. Even though she doesn't want them to happen, there is no going around it. So when Simon's denial to accept his future infuriates her, it also makes her curious. Maybe there is a loop hole and there is hope. 

Even though it's like 30k or something, I loved reading this short bits of Simon and Fawna's life. Before reading this book you must read The Disillusionists series first.

The Disillusionists #1

Mind Games

The Disillusionists #2

Double Cross

The Disillusionists #3

Head Rush

The Disillusionists #3.5 

Devil's Luck 

 

 About The Author

Carolyn Crane is an urban fantasy author with Bantam/Spectra. She has written three books for The Disillusionists series, (Mind Games, Double Cross and Head Rush) along with a short story for the seies Kitten-tiger & the Monk published in the novella Wild & Steamy.

Carolyn lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two daring cats, and enjoys running and animals and taking baths and eating Mexican food. And in her day job, she is a marketing writer. 

Find out more about Carolyn Crane from her website/ Blog/ twitter/ goodreads/ facebook

Review: ARC - The Genius and the Muse by Elizabeth Hunter

The Genius and the Muse by Elizabeth Hunter

Genre: Contemporary, Romance 

Release: April, 2012

My copy: Provided by the awesome author of the book

Buy Links
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Synopsis from goodreads

Kate Mitchell knew what she wanted: to finish her degree from Foothill Art Institute and break into the art world on her own terms. Just when she thinks she has it all figured out, new insight into a mysterious photograph by her artistic idol will lead her on a journey through the past.


A photograph. A painting. Lost dreams and secret pain. One clue leads to another, and Kate learns that pieces of the past might leave marks on her own future, leading to a love she never could have predicted.


One portrait may hold the answers, but learning its secrets will challenge everything Kate thought she knew about love, art, and life. A single picture can tell more than one story. In the end, a young artist will discover that every real love story is a unique work of art.

My Thoughts

I love Elizabeth's writing to bits. Her paranormal series, Elemental Mysteries is one of my favorite. So when E asked me to read this, I just had to have it. And as you might have noticed I am in a contemporary high lately, so The Genius and the Muse by Elizabeth Hunter was an awesome edition to my contemporary read-fest.

Miss Hunter's writing style always connects me to her stories, her characters. Ever read something like, you know when you get invested in it so much that it's hard to put down? Well her writing is that way for me. The Genius and the Muse is one of those stories which I just couldn't put down till I was done. The storyline the characters are all so compelling that when I started reading it at 4 in the morning I couldn't stop. I had to finish. Took me about a little over 12 hours or so. Absolutely worth it.

What I LOVED the most was, Kate and Javi, hands down. The story started off with Kate, a grad student at Foothill sort of obsessed with the famous photographer Reed O' Corner. I have to admit for a page or two I thought there might be something between the two. But as I read further it was clear that Kate's curiosity about Reed was not in any way romantic. Her search to find out more about Reed's personal life leads her to Javi, a tattooed sculpture/artist/mechanic. Javi doesn't give the look of a nice guy, he is more of a rude anti-social person. In spite that Kate and Javi's attraction towards each other was undeniable. The time frame change was a bit disconcerting for my taste. Other than that this was a sweet, amazing read. Recommended to readers with a taste for contemporary romance.

About the author

Elizabeth Hunter is the author and publisher of the Elemental Mysteries Series. She is a graduate of the University of Houston Honors College in the Department of English (Linguistics) and a former English teacher. A native of Central California, she now lives in Southern California with her husband, son, and an assortment of dogs. She enjoys reading, writing, travel, and bowling. Someday, she plans to learn how to scuba-dive. And maybe hang-glide ... but that looks like a lot of running. A Hidden Fire is her debut novel. 

Find out more about Elizabeth Hunter from her 

Website / Twitter / Goodreads

Review: The Force of Wind by Elizabeth Hunter

The Force of Wind by Elizabeth Hunter

Series: Elemental Mysteries

Genre: Paranormal, Romance

Released: March 6, 2012

Buy Links

Amazon

Amazon.UK 

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

Synopsis for goodreads:

How far would you go to protect the ones you love?

What would you sacrifice to kill the one you hate?

Join Giovanni Vecchio and Beatrice De Novo as they travel to a hidden island on the far edge of China to seek the help of an ancient immortal court. Can they weave their way through the tangled web of centuries-old alliances and ruthless feuds to find what they’ve been looking for? Friends will be revealed, enemies will find them, and a dangerous secret will come to light.

The third book in the Elemental Mysteries series will see Giovanni and Beatrice joined by a group of unlikely allies as they explore the history and myth of the far East. Many have been stolen, but only one holds the key.

The Force of Wind is the third book in the four-part Elemental Mysteries series. It is the sequel to This Same Earth and is a paranormal mystery/romance for adult readers.

My thoughts: 

The Force Of Wind is the third book of Elemental Mysteries series. Having read the previous two books my expectation was way high for this one, and I can only say this so many times but I absolutely loved it!  

Force Of Wind reveals more about the vampire wold's higher power, government of sort. How vampires are created, how they are send off to the world among other things. Giovanni and Beatrice spends most of the book with the elders, with Beatrice learning more about the elders. I don't want to spoil away anything but the amount of changes going on in this book was mind boggling. I really did not see some of theses things coming. 

The ending however left me a sobbing mess. How could you do this to me E! *sobs some more* 

At the end, this was an amazing story with the right amount of everything. If you are looking for something different in the paranormal stuff, I would recommend Elemental Mysteries series in a heart beat. 

I give this 

Elemental Mysteries #1

A Hidden Fire

Elemental Mysteries #2

This Same Earth

Elemental Mysteries #3

The Force Of Wind

Elemental Mysteries #4

Untitled

About the author

Elizabeth Hunter is the author and publisher of the Elemental Mysteries Series. She is a graduate of the University of Houston Honors College in the Department of English (Linguistics) and a former English teacher. A native of Central California, she now lives in Southern California with her husband, son, and an assortment of dogs. She enjoys reading, writing, travel, and bowling. Someday, she plans to learn how to scuba-dive. And maybe hang-glide ... but that looks like a lot of running. A Hidden Fire is her debut novel. 

Find out more about Elizabeth Hunter from her 

Website / Twitter / Goodreads

Review: Head Rush by Carolyn Crane

Head Rush by Carolyn Crane

Series:The Disillusionists #1

Mind Games

The Disillusionists #2

Double Cross

The Disillusionists #3

Head Rush

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance, Mystery

Released: December 6, 2011

Buy Link

Samhain

Audible

Synopsis from goodreads

JUSTINE JONES FACES HER ULTIMATE ENEMY: HERSELF!

In an attempt to put her unhappy past behind her, Justine Jones throws herself into nursing school and planning her wedding to Otto Sanchez, the man of her dreams. But something is off. Random details aren’tadding up…and is it her imagination, or are her friends and fiancé keeping secrets from her? And what’s with this strange sense of unease, and her odd new headaches?

Justine tries to stay upbeat as Midcity cowers under martial law, sleepwalking cannibals, and a mysterious rash of paranormal copycat violence, but her search for answers leads her into the most dangerous mindgame yet.

With the help of unlikely allies, including her paranoid dad and best frenemy Simon, Justine fights her ultimate foe…and unravels the most startling mystery of all.

Product Warnings
This book contains high-speed rollerblade chases, a mysterious green dashboard ornament, a father of the bride in full hazmat gear and a delicious kebab.

My Thoughts

It's been about a year that I read the first two books of The Disillusionists series and you know a year gap tends to make you forget what had happened in the books in the first place. So I went back read the first two books again and then read the third book. Seriously my memory is very weak remembering the characters. Let's face it I have tube-light syndrome. So even after I read the first two books before I got the the third one I was very confused why Simon was trying to be a brides made. I mean I specifically remember him being a boy. Le sigh tube-light syndrome. 

So before I get strayed off of the topic and babble some more, I LOVED the third book of Disillusionists series. The pacing was excellent, the story flowed smoothly and absolutely loved how everything wrapped up in the end. Thank you Galla for recommending this books to me, I loved them. Also thank you for introducing me to Gumby, I have very little knowledge about American pop culture from the 50's.

So if you are looking for a change in your reading, I would recommend you check out The Disillusionists series.

I give this

About The Author

Carolyn Crane is an urban fantasy author with Bantam/Spectra. She has written three books for The Disillusionists series, (Mind Games, Double Cross and Head Rush) along with a short story for the seies Kitten-tiger & the Monk published in the novella Wild & Steamy.

Carolyn lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two daring cats, and enjoys running and animals and taking baths and eating Mexican food. And in her day job, she is a marketing writer. 

Find out more about Carolyn Crane from her website/ Blog/ twitter/ goodreads/ facebook

Review: Some Girls Bite by by Chloe Neill

Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill

Series: Chicagoland Vampires

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Mystery, Romance.

Published: April 7, 2009

Read for Tempting Tuesday Read-Along

Buy Link

Barnes & Noble

Synopses From Goodreads

First in a brand new series about a Chicago graduate student's introduction into a society of vampires.

Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn't exactly glamorous, but it was Merit's. She was doing fine until a rogue vampire attacked her. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker-and this one decided the best way to save her life was to make her the walking undead.

Turns out her savior was the master vampire of Cadogan House. Now she's traded sweating over her thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan "Lord o' the Manor" Sullivan. Of course, as a tall, green-eyed, four-hundred- year-old vampire, he has centuries' worth of charm, but unfortunately he expects her gratitude- and servitude. But an inconvenient sunlight allergy and Ethan's attitude are the least of her concerns. Someone's still out to get her. Her initiation into Chicago's nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war-and there will be blood.

My thoughts:

I have had Chicagoland Vampires recommended to me too many times, I just didn't feel the love to pick it up till now. When I saw Missie was hosting a Some Girls Bite read-along with Tina, Rummanah and Jenny I thought I have the book, I haven't had a chance to do a read-along before so lets do this thing!

It was awesome. Reading four chapters a week and making turtle friends along the way, but I think most of the bloggers had already finished it. I am going off track with my thoughts about the read-along here.

So about the book, I liked the entire situation with Merit's vampiredom and how she grows to accept her situation. Under a month time Merit went from grad student to super sentinel, I don't think I would have come out of my hidie hole before a month had past.

Ethan, Merit's master and the head of Cadogan house is a bit of a jerk in the entire book. And I am told to be patient, apparently he isn't always so much of a jerk as the series continues. I would like him a little less jerky too.

Mallory, Merit's best friend got it on with a fellow sorcerer. I am sort of those readers that likes slow built up relationships. Mallory and Catcher were more like lust-in-first-sight than love. They are both GREAT characters individually and had a lot of potential to bloom in to a great relation that I would have liked but I just didn't feel the it here.

Now let me finish my character evaluation with one last character, Jeff. He is the ONLY were we meet in this book, he is twenty one and a lanky computer geek. I am thinking about grabbing him and then running towards the mountains. I even have a pair of handcuffs somewhere in the house to have him cuffed to the headboards. Too much! I think not.

At the end, I honestly don't think I would have liked this book if I was reading this on my own. Because of the read-along mainly, I loved reading this. But I plan to continue the series, soon.

Recommended to ... umhh ... readers like me who had second thoughts about picking up the book. Just wait for a read-along or something when you start!

I give this

Series in order

Chicagoland Vampires #1
Some Girls Bite
Chicagoland Vampires #2
Friday Night Bites
Chicagoland Vampires #3
Twice Bitten
Chicagoland Vampires #4
Hard Bitten
Chicagoland Vampires #5
Drink Deep
Chicagoland Vampires #6
Biting Cold

About the Author
 

Chloe Neill is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Chicagoland Vampires and Dark Elite series.

She was born and raised in the South, but now makes her home in the Midwest–just close enough to Cadogan House and St. Sophia’s to keep an eye on things. When not transcribing Merit’s and Lily’s adventures, she bakes, works, and scours the Internet for good recipes and great graphic design. Chloe also maintains her sanity by spending time with her boys–her favorite landscape photographer/husband and their dogs, Baxter and Scout. (Both she and the photographer understand the dogs are in charge.)

Chloe Neill in her Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

ARC Review: This Same Earth by Elizabeth Hunter

ARC This Same Earth by Elizabeth Hunter

Series: Elemental Mysteries

Book #1

A Hidden Fire

Book #2

This Same Earth

Book #3

The Force Of Wind

Genre:Paranormal, Fiction, Adult,

Released: December 2011

Pre Order:

Barnes & Noble

Smashword

Synopsis from goodreads:

Beatrice De Novo thought she had left the supernatural world behind…for the most part. But when the past becomes the present, will she leave her quiet life in Los Angeles to follow a mystery she thought had abandoned her? Where has Giovanni Vecchio been, and why has he returned? Giovanni has his own questions, and he’s looking to her for answers. The sequel to A Hidden Fire will reunite Beatrice and Giovanni to continue their search through the past while both wrestle with the future. When the world as you knew it has changed forever, is there any way you can turn back? This Same Earth is the second book in the Elemental Mysteries series. It is a paranormal romance/mystery for adult readers.

My Thoughts:

This Same Earth by Elizabeth Hunter is the second book of Elemental Mysteries series. Firstly, thank you Elizabeth for letting me read this awesome book, I think I might have died from my curiosity after reading the first chapter of this book a while back.

This Same Earth picks up five years after A Hidden Fire ends, revealing what happened in Beatrice De Novo's life in the mean time. Beatrice has left a world of supernatural behind or so she thought until Giovanni Vecchio came back in her life. However Beatrice is reluctant to accept Giovanni back in her life after being abandoned by him for five years.

Giovanni's absence in Beatrice's life for so long was the biggest mystery in my opinion when he clearly is smitten with her. To Gio his rationality to leave Beatrice alone, is to give her a chance to have a normal life and exactly what I figure he would say. Which from Geo's prospective might have seem like a good idea, but they both suffered from the separation. They go through quite a rocky road before Beatrice can trust Gio to not leave her again and give into his persuasion to establish a relationship between them.

Carwyn and some of his children were introduced in the story however because of Carwyn's tragic loss we miss the jovial Hawaiian shirt wearing snarky priest very much. Some new vampires and their clan is introduced, new alliances are formed due to Beatrice's 'new family'. The search for the missing De Novo is highlighted in this story more than ever. Stephen De Novo, Beatrice's father has hidden himself from the world and everyone seem to want him on their side or rather want what he possess.

This Same Earth ends with a beautiful wedding and with the starting of a family. Vampire Human love is always so difficult! It's hard to decide what is best for the human, turn the human into a vampire or not. After reading so many vampire series I have come to realize that it's actually a very hard decision (for me). If the human lover is turned into a vampire I whine oh god they are robbing the human from it's humanity! If not turned into a vampire, well I still whine why isn't the human turned into a vampire so they can live happily ever after. That is one of the biggest set backs for me while I read any vampire series, really! As for Elemental Mysteries series, its yet to be seen what Beatrice will choose even though it seem quite clear in this book what she will happen.

All in all a really good book with a great cover. Kudos to Elizabeth for giving readers this awesome series. I know for me March can not come sooner, until than I am going to eagerly wait or stalk Elizabeth till she hands over THE FORCE OF WIND. Recommended to all the paranormal readers out there. If you love a good vampire series this is definitely it. You can start by reading A Hidden Fire. 

I give this:

Find out more about Elizabeth Hunter from her 

Website/ Twitter/ Goodreads/ Elemental Mysteries Website

Review: iDrakula by Bekka Black

iDrakula by Bekka Black
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Released: October 1, 2010
Buy Link
Amazon

Synopsis from goodreads 18-year-old Jonathan Harker is diagnosed with a rare blood disorder after visiting a Romanian Count. His girlfriend Mina and a pre-med student named Van Helsing team up to investigate the source of the disease. The teenagers discover a horrifying truth: the Count is a vampire. The harrowing events unfold through emails, text messages, web pages, Twitter feeds, and instant messaging—the natural modernization of Bram Stoker's original Dracula, which was written in letters, diary entries, and news clippings.

My thoughts

Totally hilarious. I suppose if Bram Stoker's Dracula was based on the 21st century where everyone uses the latest tech gadgets like iphone or ipad, which would be totally awesome ;)

Bekka Black's iDrakula is the modern take on Stoker's Dracula where we see the use of nifty gadgets and emails between the characters for communication. 

click the pic to see in HD

The story was short, got me laughing all all over and totally great. Recommended to everyone! While you guys check this out I will have to go stalk check out more of Bekka Black's work ;)

I give this

 

Find out more about Bekka Black from her

Website/Goodreds/Blog
Oh there is also a iDrakula app