Thursday, March 20, 2014

Review Tour: Lover, Divine by A. Star

 Let me start off by saying that the fangirl in me is very happy after reading Lover, Divine. I am a huge fan of Diantha Jones who also writes as A. Star and I am thrilled that I was able to take part in this review tour. Thank you, Diantha!
 
Title: Lover, Divine (Mythos: Gods & Lovers, #1)
Author: A. Star
Published: February 25th 2014
Genre: Romance, Mythology, Adult
Rating: 5 Stars
Read Count: 1
Synopsis:
Born into one of the wealthiest families in Ireland, Siobhan Law has status, privilege, and a secret: The Greek gods of Olympus and their kingdom in the clouds are real, and her family acts as one of their agents on Earth.

When the beautiful immortal celeste Liam Argyros shows up claiming to have come to Earth to deal in the affairs of the divine, Siobhan finds herself unable to resist his charms. New to the game of passion and seduction, she quickly ends up in over her head, sinking deeper with every attempt Liam makes to win her over.

But Liam’s divine mission is far more complex than she ever imagined and nothing is truly as it seems. Because Liam has a secret of his own: He is Apollo, Olympian god of the Sun, and his mission will never be complete until he has claimed Siobhan’s heart forever.

WARNING: For readers 18+ only. Contains adult language and sexual situations.


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18629261-lover-divine?ac=1
 
Lover, Divine is on sale for $.99 March 17-22! 

My Thoughts
"Fate is one scary bastard."
Lover, Divine is a contemporary Greek mythology story which takes place twenty-odd years before Diantha's Oracle of Delphi series and it tells the story of how Siobhan Law and Apollo (major player in the OOD series) met and fell in love. From the beginning there is no denying that Apollo wants Siobhan who is part of an Influential family, mortals who know of the Greek gods and help with their earthly affairs.
Star's writing kept me hooked as it always does whether it's one of her young adult books or adult and the tension between Siobhan and Apollo is HOT! I also love anything to do with Ireland so with Lover, Divine being set in Ireland and those beautiful accents, I was definitely in love. Music also plays a huge part in the book since Apollo is a musical genius and Siobhan a whiz at the violin and my favorite, the drums.
It's hard to say a lot about the story because for readers who haven't read the Oracle of Delphi series, I could give away some spoilers but the ending is so sweet! You OOD fans know what I'm talking about...
Overall, Lover, Divine was a lovely story. Siobhan is a tough and loving character who isn't willing to take any crap from anyone and Apollo is his smug and gorgeous self as always. The setting and scenes between them are perfect and the input to the Oracle of Delphi books was interesting.
 
Favorite Quotes
“You are fated to me and I will have you. That, my Irish darling, you can bet your pert and proper ass on."

"I was in love. With Apollo, with the music, with the universe."

About the Author
A. Star is a fan of dirty passion. She likes to read it, and she damn sure likes to write it. Her first adult romance/fantasy novella is called Invasion, an alien romance about sacrifice. Lover, Divine is the first release from the Mythos: Gods and Lovers series. Future releases under A. Star include, King, Desired (Mythos: Gods and Lovers #2), the Love & Steampunk series, the Purr, Inc. stories, and more.
 
Official Site | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Tour wide giveaway
Open INTL:
--3x Signed copy + swag
 
 
 
http://xpressobooktours.com/

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Cover Reveal: Lover, Divine by A. Star

Today I get to help reveal the gorgeous cover for the first book in A. Star's new series, Mythos: Gods & Lovers.


Check out Lover, Divine...


Lover, Divine by A. Star 
(Mythos: Gods & Lovers #1) 
Publication date: February 25th, 2014
Genres: Adult, Mythology, Romance
Synopsis:
Born into one of the wealthiest families in Ireland, Siobhan Law has status, privilege, and a secret: The Greek gods of Olympus and their kingdom in the clouds are real, and her family acts as one of their agents on Earth.

When the beautiful immortal celeste Liam Argyros shows up claiming to have come to Earth to deal in the affairs of the divine, Siobhan finds herself unable to resist his charms. New to the game of passion and seduction, she quickly ends up in over her head, sinking deeper with every attempt Liam makes to win her over.

But Liam’s divine mission is far more complex than she ever imagined and nothing is truly as it seems. Because Liam has a secret of his own: He is Apollo, Olympian god of the Sun, and his mission will never be complete until he has claimed Siobhan’s heart forever.


 About the Author 
A. Star is a fan of dirty passion. She likes to read it, and she damn sure likes to write it. Her first adult romance/fantasy novella is called Invasion, an alien romance about sacrifice. Lover, Divine is the first release from the Mythos: Gods and Lovers series. Future releases under A. Star include, King, Desired (Mythos: Gods and Lovers #2), the Love & Steampunk series, the Purr, Inc. stories, and more.


Thursday, January 9, 2014

Review: A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

Title: A Walk to Remember
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Published: 2000 by Grand Central Publishing (Originally Published in 1999)
Genre: Romance, Adult
Rating: 4 Stars
Read Count: 3
Synopsis:
There was a time when the world was sweeter… when the women in Beaufort, North Carolina, wore dresses, and the men donned hats…Every April, when the wind smells of both the sea and lilacs, Landon Carter remembers 1958, his last year at Beaufort High. Landon had dated a girl or two, and even once sworn that he’d been in love. Certainly the last person he thought he’d fall for was Jamie, the shy, almost ethereal daughter of the town’s Baptist minister… Jamie, who was destined to show him the depths of the human heart—and the joy and pain of living.


Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo |

 My Thoughts 
Everyone knows just how sweet a love story A Walk to Remember is...if you don't you need to get with the program and have a book/movie marathon, okay?
In the book, Landon Carter takes us back forty years from 1999 to 1958-1959 Beaufort, North Carolina (proud NC girl right here) where he tells us about how he fell in love with Jamie Sullivan. Being teenagers, most of Beaufort High doesn't understand Jamie, the bible carrying, plain clothes wearing preacher's daughter who doesn't drink or date and likes to spend her time at the local orphanage. Seventeen year-old Landon finds himself needing a date to the dance and after asking every other girl he could, he asks Jamie knowing she helps pretty much anyone that needs it.
Jamie in turn asks Landon for a favor and slowly Landon falls for Jamie as they spend time together rehearsing for Reverend Sullivan's Christmas play. Which of course means he breaks the promise he made to Jamie before the dance...
https://31.media.tumblr.com/efb7e7fed02420127f9c125744cfc8cf/tumblr_mywv45Eftv1qg1zw8o1_500.gif photo tumblr_mywv45Eftv1qg1zw8o1_500.gif
For a short time Landon and Jamie are happy and in love but eventually Jamie reveals the secret she's been hiding since that summer. I'm sure you know what it is but I won't blab it.
https://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m43fbdyyNp1r145kno1_500.gif photo tumblr_m43fbdyyNp1r145kno1_500.gif
Okay, this may give it away but it was just so dang cute I had to post it.
A Walk to Remember is a pretty short read but it has a whole lot of heart, it's a sweet and clean love story, religious (not preachy) and one that will have you crying.
https://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvbsjpvls41r145kno1_500.gif photo tumblr_lvbsjpvls41r145kno1_500.gif
Okay, that definitely gives the ending away but oh well.

If you do watch the movie keep in mind it's updated from the '50s version of the book but the story is just as beautiful and it's got Shane West and Mandy Moore who are perfect as Landon and Jamie.

 Favorite Quotes 
“It wasn't that long, and it certainly wasn't the kind of kiss you see in movies these days, but it was wonderful in its own way, and all I can remember about the moment is that when our lips touched, I knew the memory would last forever.”

“It was, I remembered thinking, the most difficult walk anyone ever had to make. In every way, a walk to remember.”

 About the Author 
With over 50 million copies of his books in print, Nicholas Sparks is on of the world's most beloved storytellers. His novels include seven #1 New York Times bestsellers, and all his books, including Three Weeks with My Brother, the memoir he wrote with his brother, Micah, have been New York Times and international bestsellers, and were translated into more than forty languages. Three of Nicholas Sparks' novelsMessage in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, and The Notebookwere also adapted into major motion pictures. The author lives in North Carolina with his wife and family.

Monday, January 6, 2014

Review: Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Title: Nevermore (Nevermore, #1)
Author: Kelly Creagh
Published: 2011 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Romance, Young Adult
Rating: 5 Stars
Read Count: 2
Synopsis:
Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear that he'd rather not have anything to do with her, either. But soon Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.
As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Can she save Varen from the madness taking hold of him? Or will they both be consumed by the shadows of his nightmares?



Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo |

 My Thoughts 
I forgot just how much I love this book until rereading it. Varen Nethers is just...
 photo tumblr_inline_mi496sCKbV1qz4rgp.gif
Nevermore is based around Edgar Allan Poe's work which is a serious plus for me because who doesn't like the gothic romance and horror stories he wrote? Our MC is Isobel Lanley, the popular, blond haired and blue eyed cheerleader who is one tough female character, which I love since I dislike most female characters (it's my curse). She's partnered up with Varen Nethers, hot goth with dark hair, gorgeous green eyes and a sexy lip ring for an English project. Straightaway Varen decides that their project will be about Edgar Allan Poe, the man that Varen is a wee bit obsessed with.
They struggle to find time to work on their project as a jealous boyfriend/friends and an overprotective dad make problems, Isobel and Varen slowly fall in love and Isobel begins to find herself sucked into Varen's dreamworld, 'caused by the sketchbook he carries where he sketches and writes to escape a bad home life. His dreams become real and his and Poe's creatures and characters come to life.
For me, Nevermore will be an all-time favorite and Varen Nethers is my favorite book boyfriend. Miss Creagh's world is one I would love to visit often and the book is quite long but it's worth it. So if you enjoy romance and creepy stories this will not disappoint.

 Favorite Quotes 
"A black silver-studded belt encircled his narrow hips. Beneath the baggy T-shirt, he was thin and pale but strong-looking. She tried not to go pink in the face when she suddenly caught herself wondering if his skin felt warm to the touch or vampire cold."

"In love. In love with the stoic, the sullen, the eternally morose Varen Nethers?
He would never allow it."

 About the Author 
As a child, Kelly would hold elaborate one-kid plays for patient relatives, complete with song, dance, and over-the-top melodramatics. Then, whenever Mom or Grandma called for a break, she would venture outside to slay dragons, run from make-believe ghosts and create magical feasts for fairies out of mud and pinecones.
In the third grade, Kelly wrote her first book titled Pink Lettuce, a story about a young girl who comes to the aid of her mad scientist neighbor, helping him to return his potion-pink lettuce patch to its original green and leafy luster.
Kelly holds an undergraduate degree in Theatre Arts and Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults. Today, she finds true joy in transcribing her dramatic daydreams onto the stage of the blank page. When not writing or curled up with a good book, Kelly can be found teaching, learning and performing the ancient art of Bellydance.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Review: Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Title: Unravel Me (Shatter Me, #2)
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Published: 2013 by HarperCollins
Genre: Dystopia, Romance, Young Adult
Rating: 3 Stars
Read Count: 1
Synopsis:
tick
tick
tick
tick
tick
it's almost
time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.




 My Thoughts 
https://31.media.tumblr.com/d8849b3f2605dbf0ee6b6f90ca4129eb/tumblr_myqc8q28LM1souo92o1_250.gif photo tumblr_myqc8q28LM1souo92o1_250.gif
I really had high hopes for Unravel Me but it just left me wondering why I bothered to spend my time reading it.
The story continues at Omega Point, where Juliette, Adam and James have been for a few weeks. Juliette isn't adjusting and Adam is acting odd while my favorite misunderstood little soldier Warner is still searching for Juliette, heaven knows why though...I really don't understand the attraction Warner has to her.
Good points, was that we learn Warner's name (though someone had already ruined it for me on Twitter and yes I am bitter xD), there is more KENJI ('nuff said) and yes, Chapter 62 was hot but I'm just not a fan of Warner/Juliette being together.
Bad points, Juliette was so freakin' self-centered and cruel to Adam in my opinion. Warner was also self-centered and cruel, I know he is supposed to be a sorta-bad guy but after reading Destroy Me and parts of Unravel Me you know he can be loving and kind but then he just turns around and acts like an ass, I still like him but want to smack him.
Overall the story was decent but I just couldn't love it like I did Shatter Me. The characters are likeable and learning about the other residents of Omega Point and having a deeper back story for some was nice but Juliette being obnoxious just kills it for me.

 About the Author 
Tahereh Mafi is a girl. She was born the youngest child with four older brothers in a small city somewhere in Connecticut, and currently resides in Orange County, California. She graduated from a tiny liberal arts college two miles from the shores of Laguna Beach, has varying levels of competency in eight different languages, and spent a semester abroad in Barcelona, Spain, where she had the opportunity to study Spanish literature in its native form. 

Mafi has traveled all over the world, lived on both sides of the United States, and even spent some years writing really bad poetry. When unable to find a book, she can be found reading candy wrappers, coupons, and old receipts.