Friday 31 May 2013

Review of Scent of Roses By P.G Forte

Scent of the Roses (Oberon, Book 1)

Review of Scent of Roses by P.G Forte
3rd Review for May
~~~~~~~~~~~
Rating: 4 stars
Scout – also known as Jen – has her life turned upside down in her teens: her dad is dead, her friends betrayed her, her step-sister is missing and she is being shipped off to Florida, leaving behind Nick, the one guy she truly loved.
The story starts twenty years later where she returns to Oberon to tidy up her inheritance from her recently deceased step-mother – the same step-mother who sent her away – and the story kicks off straightaway, with the towns’ gossips, old enemies, and her old flame.
The plot had my head reeling. I had everyone as a suspect as the murderer, if there even was one, but new evidence turned up at every turn. But with Marsha’s abilities to read peoples tea leaves, she gets snippets of what might be… the entanglement of magic in this book was beautifully done, making it very believable. I just loved the plot; I was turning pages so fast, pointing fingers and then taking it back. What a great read. The love story was very well written, with enough pushing and shoving… two very stubborn people who suited each other down to the ground. There was a particular scene that I just loved, when she first sets eyes on Nick again after twenty years… the description had my hands sweating as I struggled to hold the kindle, it was so realistic, I just got the feeling the author described to a T.
Characters:
Scout: Scout what can I say, a damaged, tormented woman, but with pride and a stubbornness that could be the only reason for her grasp on her sanity, even though I questioned it several times in the book, but loved her as an MC. She was strong yet vulnerable, very well-rounded main character, and I loved that Nick was her old flame, they just couldn’t have been picked any better.
Marsha I loved: she reminded me of a wise old crone. She always had a second meaning to everything she said, and her ability to see auras read tea leaves and pick up on emotions was priceless. She seemed to have her own little private jokes along the way, and was always sticking her nose in everyone’s business.
At first I didn’t like Lucy. I found her stubborn and righteous and several times I was just hoping someone would shut her up, but as the story progressed, I began to understand the passion she had for her family, and why she seen Scout as the enemy.
So overall I just loved this book. It was very enjoyable and I would highly recommend it for those who love a good murder mystery with a dash of magic and a good splash of romance.
murder with a dash of magic, and a good splash of romance.

Tuesday 28 May 2013

Spotlight for the Pull by Brooke Morris


Raised in the World of Men, 18 year old Maggie has just discovered that she is a forbidden half-breed, a cross between fairies and demons that should have been annihilated before she was even born, before her mother could escape with her into the New World, the World of Men. She soon learns why her kind are so feared as she races to save a world she has never known yet feels intimately connected to. Will Maggie be able to save the Old World from a long dormant evil that will turn everything to ash and dust.

Where can I purchase this book?


About the Author:

I can't think of a better way to spend a few hours (who am I kidding?- a few days) than getting lost in a good story. With just the right plot twists and character development, an author can pull you out of one world and into another. 
Living in the PNW for the better half of a decade has greatly influenced my writing. The lush beauty of the natural world often provides the backdrop for my fantasy novels. I enjoy examining what it means to be human and playing with the wide array of possibilities that opens up in my writing.
While I would love to eat, drink, and breathe writing I have a little beagle who reminds me about the important things in life...mainly throwing his squeaky tennis ball until my arm falls off. That and of course the all important food- for anyone who has ever had a four-legged friend of the beagle variety, you know full well how high food ranks in their world. Truthfully, I am pretty sure he would sell me down the river for a mere whiff of peanut butter. But hey, at least I would have a good story of how I came to be homeless and panhandling (my beagle made me do it, I swear!).
I am releasing my first book soon through Smashwords and I hope you take the time to read it and review it!

Where can we find you?


Friday 24 May 2013

Review of Fractured


Review of Fractured
(2nd Review for May)

Rating 5 stars

O I loved Slated and was so not disappointed with fractured yes along the way I was actually getting confused and annoyed but that was only because I was eager to know WHAT THE HELL WAS GOING ON. It’s a game of too trust or not to trust. A few I seen coming and others took me by surprise.

Kyla the main character is so so brave while reading it there was so many situations I was screaming for her to run, or just let it go, live a simple life why spoil it, but she has a curious mind and won’t let anything go. Her loyalty to ones she loves is unwavering and I admired this so much in her, especially with Ben.

I found this one sad compared to slated as it was just a warm up, but my heart broke a few times through this book.

It ends with a new beginning and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book, just not sure who exactly I will be reading from. Lucy, Rain or Kyla or maybe all three.



Where Darkness Walks

Tuesday 21 May 2013

Cover Reveal of Returned by Keeley Smith








A terrifying thud of feet struck the hard ground behind her. The sharp crack of frozen branches echoed in the vast wooded area, she ran each snap sent her heart into overdrive, she knew they were gaining ground but she couldn’t run any quicker.

    Her heart jack hammered as it fought against her crushing fear. She feared that her lungs would give out and she would stop running, she feared who she would meet when her legs, which were as strong as jelly, finally crumbled beneath her. Her biggest fear ripped the little breath that her lungs had managed to grasp. That fear, would it hurt when she died? Her lungs struggled to inhale the oxygen she needed. They wheezed pathetically. The combination of running, something she didn’t do, the fear and...running, yes, she’d already thought of this, made sure her lungs didn’t function properly. She hissed as a sharp pain tightened in her ribs. She wasn't fit, she never exercised which was ironic really, the only time she ever runs in her life is when it makes the difference between life and death. Although she was sure most people would run at those moments.

   The night was silent other than the pounding of their feet and her harsh, panicked breath. She tried rather unsuccessfully to wheeze in enough oxygen to keep going. She pushed past the burning frenzy that was alight in her chest and her legs, and dug her feet into the ground. It was hard enough that chunks of dirt broke free, it helped to push her body further, she was, for once, thankful the night was freezing cold. Sludge would have made this a million times harder.

   Why was the person chasing her being so silent? She had expected curses or name calling, that she could feed off. She knew that they would push her further, faster but this silence made it more daunting, more terrifying, if that was possible, especially when someone was hunting you with only one thing on their mind. To kill.

   She gasped, sucking cold air into her stalling lungs and realised that the somewhat blurred line that separated life and death was, at this precise moment, nonexistent. She felt the great big wallop up the side of her head as the thought became more real. One minute you lived, breathed, laughed...loved, the next minute you were greeted by eternal blackness. Was there something after this life? Would she see the ones she loved again or was this it? Why had she never given this much thought before now? She knew the answer even as her head asked the question, seventeen year olds didn’t usually give death much thought. With a full life ahead of them, why should they worry about death?

   Regret, a huge ball of it formed and tightened in the pit of her stomach. She desperately hoped she would see them again because she didn’t want eternal blackness. She couldn’t handle the possibility that the last time she’d seen the ones she loved was actually thelast time. She hadn’t really said her goodbyes, she’d sat on the sofa, numb with shock, believing this wasn’t happening.

   Her fate was laid out in front of her, one never had the opportunity to see this fate. It wasn’t exactly sat on a pretty silver platter but it was here, banging on the door whilst grinning menacingly at her meek attempt to escape.

    Was her name on some list along with the method of her death? Or was it like a sick sort of lucky dip; run over by a bus, stabbed or shot. Did the boss of fate make sure there was a set date, a set time for you to die? If her name was on some sort of stupid death list what could she do other than tell it to take a good long jump off a cliff because she wasn't ready?  A person could change their fate, right? Well, she hoped so, otherwise what would be the point of all of this? They would all die and it wouldn’t change anything, it would add nothing. That was the worst kind of death in her opinion, one that lacked a reason, a purpose. Not that death as a whole was acceptable. It wasn’t.


Monday 20 May 2013

Winner of the best book cover is ......................

Winner of the best cover is, Rayne Bexley Author of You Only Love Twice





Competition ran from www.ultimatefantasybooks.com

Next competition Best Book Trailer.

Friday 17 May 2013

Review of Piercing the Fold by Venessa Kimball





Review of Piercing the Fold
(First review for May)
Rating 3.5 Stars

I was given this book by the author for an honest review.
The concept behind this story was very well thought-out, with truths mixed with fiction. There are parts where you questions could it be possible?  From wormholes to the quantum theory all the way to the Bermuda triangle, Yes these are all linked in the book for a fascinating reasons.
I loved the main character Jes, she is strong willed, and a real fighter. She makes a judgement call in the book whether to help someone or use them, and she chooses the latter, later to regret it. But I loved this about her, I would have done the same, she was flawed but had a conscience all the same.
I can see a love triangle arise and I hope to god it isn’t Nate that she chooses, I just didn’t like him or take to him, not my cup of tea.

So overall I loved this book and can’t wait to read the second one so why did I rate it only 3.5 stars.
Well this is why.

The first 30% is watching Jes learn all about herself we see her life, her powers. Just loved it got me straight away.
Then she has this one conversation with her professor that goes on chapters long. It was like a science lessons (yes it was relevant as it told you all the background) but  I would have preferred if it was far more spread out as I had to re-read it, because I kept zoning out, this happens several times. Until I reached 61% I think and then it took off and I couldn’t put it down. We get to meet Xander, and O did I love his character. That’s why I can’t wait to read book 2 as I feel it will really lift off.

Sunday 12 May 2013

Interview with Robin Leigh Morgan Author of I Kissed A Ghost


Image
Question: What have you published recently and where can we find it?
I self-published my first YA Paranormal/Time Travel/First Kiss romance novel, “I Kissed a Ghost”; it got released on December 20, 2012 and is available on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Kissed-Ghost-Robin-Leigh-Morgan/dp/1480030031  It is also available on  Amazon.co.uk   Amazon.de   Amazon.es   Amazon.fr  and  Amazon.it
If anyone would like to read some UNEDITED SNIPPETS from the book, you can do so under the category of “GHOSTLY WHISPERS” on any of my blog sites:
Question: How, and when, did you decide to become a writer?
I actually began to write back in June 1995, where until June 2006 I wrote over 450 commentary type items for a community newspaper.  Along the way I decided to see if I could write something else. I didn’t own a computer back then, but I did have access to one where I wrote my commentaries, and it was on this computer I wrote about two pages a week. Once I got my computer I began to write what I wanted to be a contemporary romance with a paranormal element running through, but I never seemed to get the sense it would be good enough to be read by someone else.  Eventually, someone suggested I write for a younger audience, which how I came to write my debut novel, a YA [Young Adult] Paranormal/Time Travel/First Kiss romance entitled, “I Kissed a Ghost.”
Question: What is a typical day like for you as a writer?
I don’t have a set routine. I set goals each day which I strive to meet. Right now I’m not doing any writing in regards to my second romance novel. I’m writing Flash Fiction prompts and commenting on other people’s endeavors, I’m look to increase the number of followers I’ve got on the various sites I have a presence. and I’m also working on the marketing of the release of the Kindle version of  “I Kissed a Ghost.”
How did you come up with the title for your book
Selecting a title for a book had been a very challenging experience for me; but after racking my brain over it, I decided to merely summarize the premise for the entire story in as few words as possible until I had something which could be used as the title for my book. Hence, since the story is about a girl [Mary] and her kissing the ghost [George] she had living in her house, the story had to be called, “I Kissed a Ghost.”
When you write do you consider yourself to be a plotter or a pantser?
I’d probably say a little of both. As I said in the above, I made a skeleton of an outside, writing down the basic plot points I’d like to hit as the story unfolded; and as a sculptor starting with a wire base of what they’d like to have, I added material, then took some away, until I had the finished product I had in mind.
Question: What are your favorite characters that you have created? Tell us about them.
Mary Elizabeth Williams is a young girl who’s just beginning to learn about boys. She’s rather plain looking, and resents to some extent the way the boys in her class treat her, using her brains to help them to better so they can stay on the various sport teams the school has. A new boy, Jonathan, joins her class and begins to treat her the way she has always wanted to be, for liking her for being the person that she is. The relationship is short-lived because her father gets a promotion which meant she has to move away at the end of the school year. Just before she does she decides to give him a kiss at the mall, away from all the prying eyes of their friends.
At her new school things return to the way they used to before she met Jonathan. This time, in addition, everyone at school tease her continuously about her house being haunted. The thing is, it is haunted by a ghost named George, who she can see and who treats her, the way Jonathan did.  George takes Mary on trips to the past and even does her homework.
The thing I like most about Mary is that, she’s never downtrodden by the way she’s gets treated by everyone at school.
Question: do you find you “mentally edit” other writers’ works as you read them? Does doing this help you or bother you?
When I read I book, I believe I do what almost every other authors, which is mentally commenting on what I’m reading, saying to myself I’d have written this—this way or that way.  As I tend to be an individual when I write, I do everything possible not to be influenced by someone else.
What advice would you give new and aspiring authors?
Ever give up living your dream of becoming a writer, as you can from reading about me, I never did.  Before you start looking for a publisher or even an agent you MUST have your manuscript edited, granted the editor you select might miss a few minor points, but at least it’s now in a much more presentable condition.  Publishers want manuscript which can be easily edited by their own editing staff, without them having to correct countless misspellings and grammatical errors.
Question: What music do you listen to, while writing?
Either I play some of the CDs I owned, or I listen to a variety of stations on AOL Radio – depending on the mood I’m in at the moment.
Question: What do you eat while writing?
I never eat while I write; to start with it would always be messy
Five for Fun:
What is your favourite non-alcoholic drink? 
Diet Lemon-Flavored Iced Tea
What is your favourite cartoon character?
SpongeBob SquarePants
What is your favourite movie of all time?
Musical – My Fair Lady
Comedy – Blazing Saddles 
Fantasy – Harry Potter Series 
Other – The Ten Commandments
What do you like to do for fun or just to relax?
Watching old television shows on NetFlix from the days when I had been much younger.
Where else can we find you on the web?
Twitter:           http://www.twitter.com/mypennameonly
Synopsis:

In "I Kissed a Ghost", Mary gets a new classmate named Jonathan who’s a great baseball player and to get on the team, he needs Mary’s help to improve his grades. Six months later when she learns she’s moving, she decides to give him something special--a first kiss. Moving into her new home she soon discovers it has a ghost named George, her age, who takes her on numerous trips to the past of a hundred years ago. As she meets children her own age, everyone teases her about her house being haunted, but no one will go inside. Mary likes his help doing her math homework, writing her reports, and taking her back in time. George and Mary’s interaction grows and she eventually gives him a quick peck on his lips while they’re in the past, which is the only place George is a real boy, for having done something special for her. Can Mary kiss George again at the special date and time he needs to be kissed? What happens afterwards if she does? The answers are all in the book!
 Where you can Purchase this book:







Winner of a short story competition is Pakizer, Ariel Hannah


This piece was written based on a picture of an eye with a tear drop. 
Well done Pakizer, Ariel Hannah
   “The sky was filled with lightening. Bolts cut across the grey gloom slamming into the earth. Rain pour from the clouds in wrath and despair. Wind shrieked and spun through the air breaking branches and skewing arrows from their targets.
            “Below the enraged sky, man fought man. Armies crashed with the sound of steel and the dance of death. Destriers screamed falling beneath their riders. Men pleaded for their mother’s as their life’s blood watered the ground.
            “For three days shields shattered and lives ended. Victory rose with the dawn and the blade of Serafine, the woman warrior and shield of Nudar. Her steel tasted blood, biting flesh and bone. Her courage unfaltering, her skill unmatched.
            “The song of the battle ended. The dead were burned, and the victors honored. But Serafine was never seen again. The shield of Nudar passed into legend, though many songs were written of her and the battle of Murel.
            “On that day, Luvina was defeated; Nudar were finally free.” Mother smiled, brushing her fingers through my hair.
            “What happened to Serafine?”  If anyone knew, my mother would.
            “No one knows, Asta. Some say she was wounded in battle and disappeared, too prideful to die. Darker rumors believe she was born Luvinain and left to keep her secret. I think she was done with war, vowing never to kill again.”
            I didn’t understand why my mother would think that. Serafine was a warrior, honored for her glory in battle.
            The door opened and I grinned. “Daddy!” I jumped from my mother’s lap and screamed.
            Steel shone in the dark. Three tall men covered in armor. My father’s head dripped blood onto the floor. His skin was pale blue.
            My mother pushed me. “Run,” she whispered. I could see one of her hazel eyes shining with a single tear. “Run!”
            I ran.
            The night was cold, the chill sinking into my bones. Terror and anguish made me dizzy. I stumbled. Wind brushed against my skin. The sky laughed. It crooked a dark finger glittering with stars. “Why did you run, little girl? Why did you let your mother die?”
            I screamed.
            Darkness surrounded me. I whipped sweat from my forehead and threw my wool blanket onto the floor. Stupid nightmares. They’d plagued my sleep for nine years and haunted my steps, tormenting me with my biggest regret. I abandoned my mother to die that day. Not that I could have changed her fate if I stayed.
            I closed my eyes, but my mother’s hazel eyes invaded my thoughts.
            I grunted and left my barracks.
            Dawn was near, the darkness of night ebbing away. Soon the drums would sound and everyone’d wake up. We were at war, and soldiers had to be alert. The war was nine years long with no sign of victory. It started the night my parents died, the red night we called it. I wasn’t the only child orphaned then. And we orphans were the lucky ones. We survived.
            The army took all us in, teaching the dance of bows, arrows, axes, and swords. They never let us forget what happened to our parents. Old songs about Sarefine, the battle of Murel, and our hatred of Luvina were our lullabies. The marrow of my bones hated that country now. I’d sworn to see my parents avenged.
            “Asta, don’t you ever sleep?” Ziazan stepped up behind me, quiet as a shadow. He was a night owl, and always on night guard. With dark hair, blue eyes, and sharp cheekbones he was unfairly attractive, and the star of many day dreams.
            “What do you want, Zan?”
            He shrugged. “To end the Luvinain, revenge for my parents, own the sun, number the stars, conquer the world. Not too much to ask do you think?”
            “Is this what you call patrol? Harassing soldiers who can’t sleep?”
            “But you never sleep. Honestly, I’m not sure how you’re alive.”
            “You’re one to talk.”
            He laughed. “The sun makes me tired. Seriously, Asta, why can’t you sleep?”
            I sat on the grass, watching the mountains in the distance. They were pale and tall with peaks that hide in the clouds. They separated Luvina from Nudar. Long ago at the last council of Luvar, the country was divided in two by the mountains. The elders thought they were tall enough to prevent war. They were wrong.
            I sighed. “I’m having those nightmares again.”
            “The one with your mom? Her hazel eye?”
            “Yes. There’s never any fear in that eye, only grief.”
            Ziazan sat down beside me. “She was brave then, till the end.”
            “I’d rather she was alive.”
            “Hey me too. I watched both my parents die. The bastards who did it gave me this.” He brushed his finger across the scar on his eyebrow.
            “I didn’t see my dad die, but I saw his severed head in the hands of the enemy.”
            “We’ll get them back. We’ll kill them all.” He took my hand and squeezed it.
            “Ziazan!” Commander Tal voice was gritty for a woman. “Is this why you always want the nighttime shifts? Trysts underneath the stars?”
            I laughed and Ziazan smiled. “Commander, it’s dawn.”
            Tal’s eyes narrowed. “Back to work. Now.”
            He sighed dramatically. “Very well. Catch you later, Asta. Try and get some sleep.” He bowed to Tal before strolling away.
            “You can tell that one hasn’t bloodied his sword.”
            I stood up, brushing dirt of my butt. “Most of us haven’t. I haven’t.”
            “You’re damn good in practice though. If you can keep your nerve when Luvinain’s come at you with murder in their eyes and steel in their hands, you’ll be a terror on the field.”
            I had doubts about that. Last time I was faced with steel I ran. I ran and my mother died. Next though, next time would be different. It had to be.
            “Thanks. But don’t forget, Ziazan’s our best shot. Even among bloodied warriors.”
            “Are you judging off his skill or his cute smile?” I rolled my eyes and Tal laughed. “He can hit a still target, but can he aim for a man’s heart? Talking about war and actually killing are two different things, Asta. Can you do it? Could you take a life?”
            I thought about shoving steel into flesh through muscle and bone, watching the light fade from the eyes as I twisted my sword into a gut. I closed my eyes and saw my father’s head weeping tears of blood. My mothers hazel eye shining with a single sad tear. “Those Luvinain bastards killed my family. They never stopped hating Nudar and never will. History is proof of that. It has to end. Here. With us.”
            Tal smiled. “You’ll be a warrior yet.”
            Aaaaahhhhhooooooo!
            I shivered. The horn of Nudar. The sound echoed through the camp and something stirred deep in my bones, like a monster ready to wake.
            The enemy was here. We were under attack.
            Tal and I looked at each other.
            “To arms!” she cried. “We’re under attack!”
            I ran into my tent. “Wake up!” I grabbed my breastplate. “Everyone get up!” Groggy faces shifted and groaned. The horn rang out again. People sat up, eyes wide with fear. They jumped from their beds donning armor with trembling fingers. Metal clinked and clanked as hearts raced.
            I buckled on my sword sheath and pulled the blade free.  Outside the tent people were running in every direction. Some with purpose, others in terror. The camp was a mixture of chaos and organization. Not everyone could remember orders.
            Soldiers ran to the ramparts, arrows ready. Others ran to the gate. Something slammed against it. The wood shook like thunder. I joined the cluster of men. Our fortress was rock and stone; our only weakness was this gate. It’s where the battle would be decided.  
            I clutched the sword. My heart was wild. My breath short. Fear and anticipation battled inside me. Men shouted outside the gate. Beating on their chests. Stamping to their song of war. Sunlight rose behind me, hot and bright
             The wood trembled.
            The gate burst open.
            Men poured in.
             Arrows flew from above. Bodies fell but it didn’t stop the tide. Luvinain’s crawled over the bodies, axes and swords glittering under the sun.
            Tal cried out. We rushed to meet their attack.
            Steel kissed steel as the song of battle filled the air. The dance had begun.
            I brought my sword down, embedding in the neck, driving it to the bone. Blood flew from the wound and splattered my face. I jerked twice before my sword was free. I swung around and blocked a blow to my back. The impact jarred my arm. I drove forward, plunging my blade into his chest. I ripped it out. Parried. Stabbed. I cut my way towards the gate, my sword flying in silver arcs. Cut. Block. Kill. Kill. Kill.
            Blood wet the ground. People slipped and were defenselessly cut down.
            A sword slammed against my back. It didn’t cut through my armor. I whirled around and kissed his neck with the tip of my sword. I jerked to the side, cutting through half of his neck.
            Someone screamed my name. I turned as a man fell dead at my feet, an arrow planted in his chest. I spot Ziazan firing from the ramparts.
            I danced with my blade. Bodies piled around me. My sword cut up and into the enemy. I spun and swung. My steel biting flesh over and over until blood dripped from my fingers. I sliced open a stomach. He fell his body spilling out onto the ground.
            Steeling stopped singing. The dance was done. We were victorious.
            I looked at the dead. Luvina and Nudar, women and men, young and old. Blood covered the ground like grass. Bits of bone, flesh, and muscle scattered like macabre flowers. An arm was lying far from its body. A head with a gapped mouth was stared at nothing. The eyes were hazel, shining with a single tear.
            I dropped to my knees falling into grief, weariness, and darkness.
            I woke with the blue eyes of Ziazan watching me.
            He smiled and grabbed my hand. “You’re alive.”
             “I’m alive.”
            He looked down. “You gave everyone a scare passing out like that.”
            “I’m ok. I was just…overwhelmed.”
            He kissed my hand. “I’m glad you’re ok.”
            I smiled. “Me too.”
            “We won. You know, right?”
            “Yeah, I know.”
            “They’re calling you a shield of Nudar now. Just like Sarefine.”
            “Really?”
            “You were a terror out there. We would have lost without you.”
            “I’ll led us to victory.”  I lifted my chin.
            “Not right now you won’t. Try and get some sleep.”
            I rolled my eyes. “I’ll try.”
            “I’d stay, but I’ve got to tell Commander Tal you’re awake.”
            “Go on then, you can’t get in more trouble because of me.”
            He laughed and left the room.
            My heart was heavy. I wanted to defend my people—and I would—but death wasn’t something I could celebrate. Even the death of Luvinain’s. I understood Sarefine now, why she vanished after the battle of Murel. Protect without relishing in death. The Luvinain’s were people, fighting with the same vigor as the Nudar. That was what my mother meant to tell me on the night her hazel eye closed with a tear.
Image

Competition ran from www.ultimatefantasybooks.com 




Kyra Halland Author of Urdaisunia


  
Synopsis:
 Rashali, an Urdai peasant, has vowed to destroy the Sazars who conquered Urdaisunia. Prince Eruz, the heir to the Sazar throne, walks a dangerous line between loyalty to his own people and doing what's best for all the people of Urdaisunia. Then a chance meeting between prince and rebel and a bet between two gods set Eruz and Rashali on intertwining paths of love, danger, and war.

Where can I purchase this book?
-----------------------------------------

Bio:
 Kyra Halland is a writer of darkly emotional tales of fantasy and romance. She lives in southern Arizona and has a very patient husband, two less-patient cats, and two young adult sons of whom she is very proud. 

Her writing career began in 2nd grade with the story of Daisy the Horse-Farm Horse. It got sidetracked when she went into music, ultimately ending up with a Master's in Music History, then got back on track soon after that when she began writing fantasy novels as a new stay-at-home mom with a young baby. Now that that baby and the other baby are adults, or close enough, she has turned more of her time to her writing career.

Where can we find you?
Goodreads
Author Website

Friday 3 May 2013

REACHING 100 RATINGS ON GOODREADS


I wanted to celebrate reaching over 100 ratings for my first novel Eden Forest on Goodreads. Really I did a merry dance just me and myself. It feels amazing seven months ago I published my book and am delighted to say yes yes, I have reached over 100 ratings. Now I wonder what it must feel like to have 1,000 ratings will I look back at my post and my merry dance and feel bashful, hmmmm no I am delighted, over the moon, that I wanted to thank every single person that rated and reviewed Eden Forest. you guys are the best, and what a crazy seven months it has been, publishing for the first time I did enter completely blind but the knowledge I have gained in such a short time has been amazing and I have to thank all the authors and readers who helped me.
And to add to it, when I look at my rating details I do a back flip, no I really can't not that fit, but if I could I would. :)
ratingfrequency%#
5 77%84
4 15%17
3 4%5
2 0%1
1 0%1
98% of people liked it
All editions:4.68 average rating, 103 ratings, 36 reviews, added by 991 people to-reads
  
Image
So in order to say thank you I would love to giveaway a signed paperback copy of Eden Forest - open to everyone. Just leave a comment below to be entered the giveaway. One winner will be selected on the 12th of May. Best of Luck. :)

Reviews for April


(6th Review for April)



I was given a free copy of MER for an honest review.
Firstly I must compliment the cover it really is beautiful.
The opening scene I must say was very well written you could practically feel the breeze on your face to the waves lapping against the fishing boat. I knew straight away once the men pulled in their enormous catch that this story was going to take me to a place that only existed in bed- time stories.  

The main character is Quinlan who is only ten years old but she is full of mischief always getting in trouble. She is funny to read and she doesn’t act like a lady brought up in wealth there is no snobbishness about her, she befriends staff of the castle, but in particular a kitchen boy named Noam. On a night of finding a glowing rock her future changes. When her grandfather comes to visit her, she leaves with Noam in toe, and they end up on an adventure that will change their lives forever. When sixteen year old Aaric, fourteen year old Aleena and her husband prince Tolan realise that Quinlan is missing, they leave to find her, taking their fathers ship.  On their journey to find their sister they discover a secret that isn’t meant to exist.

The writing was flawless and it was like an old fable story come to life. 
Overall this was a very enjoyable Young adult adventure. It is very well told and I could see everything so clearly in my head, as the author paints such clear pictures. I would recommend this to all age groups of fantasy readers. I can’t wait for the second book in this series.



 The Farm by Emily McKay
Review of the Farm by Emily McKay

(5th Review for April)


I just loved loved this story. It had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through and I was so disappointed when it was over, Can’t wait to read the second part.

The story starts on a farm with Lily and Mel who are twins, only Mel has autism and Lily is her only way to survive. The farm is meant to be a safehaven from the ticks outside the fence, that come out at night to feed but more sinister things are happening inside the farm, it’s a breeding ground and a blood bank for the ticks.
When Lily decides to escape taking her sister Mel with her all fails as Carter a guy from the before comes into her life igniting a crush, like wild fire. Carter becomes her protector and helps her off the farm. Lily is suspicious and headstrong at first but soon reasons with Carter and leaves only to realise he didn’t come for her because he likes her, she is humanities only hope for survival and Carter needs her to help with his rebellion.

I loved Lily she is intelligent, smart mouthed and would throw down her life for her sister. Her strength and courage throughout the book kept me  backingher every decision  that she makes even when it’s one of those “don’t go down the dark alley alone” and she does and I rooted for her each time. I loved that I could also read from Mel’s perspective the way she seen everything as music and noise, I really found it fascinating. An amazing story and one I would read again. 


 

Review of The Healing heart by Jennifer Howard.

(4th Review for April)


Lightening can strike twice.
The healing heart, what a beautiful and gentle story. The story is told through the eyes of Jamie a young mother of a teenage girl who lost the love of her life Paul (her husband) who adored her, she had a blissful and happy marriage. For two years she has struggled through life without him and raised their only daughter, until she meets Conley a man who she feels a pull towards straight away.

The love story that unravels between Conley and Jamie isn’t heart pounding and electrifying. It’s real, with nerves, respect and excitement. It was so beautiful to read and I smiled so much through this book. It’s fresh and a real feel good story.
The humour in it also had me laughing from Jamie’s little quirks to Conley’s quick comebacks. All in all if you want to brighten up your day then read the healing heart it will teach you that Lightening can strike twice.

 
 Dream Student

Dream Student 
(3rd Book for April)

Firstly I must note that the cover in no way reflects the actual story, it looks like a children’s book and what a shame, I can only imagine more people pass this book because of its cover I would. But I was asked to review it for my honest opinion and I am glad that I was.
The story is told through the eyes of Sara, a young twenty year old med student. She starts by having dreams some just a fantasy about a boy she has never met, but she soon comes to meet him. Some of her dreams are much more gruesome which are actual murders, and sometimes she sees other people’s dreams. But all Sara’s dreams are linked to reality which she soon finds out.  
 Sara is a very likeable character and easy to relate too. This book is far more like a thriller then fantasy and not something I would normally pick up, but I must admit I truly enjoyed it. It was a well thought out book, with a great plot that kept you guessing to the end also this book has a beautiful love story that blossoms throughout it.
This is part of a series and one that I will to continue to read.

I well written book that I would highly recommend.


 

The call of Agon
(2nd book for April)
www.reviewoffantasy.com

Firstly I was given this book for an honest review.

This is not my usual type of book to read, yes I love fantasy but I am more of a Maria. V Snyder type of girl.
The story is told through the eyes of Ifferon who is the last in the bloodline of the god Telm. The God Telm banished the Beast of Agon to the underworld. This leaves Ifferon with one destiny, which is too make sure Agon stays in the underworld, and to help him, Telm leaves him a scroll.
Danger lurks around every corner for Ifferon making his journey hard but he meets people along the way that he be-friends that makes it that bit easier.
 His Journey through the world of Iraldas that the author has created is beautifully done, the description throughout the book has you almost feeling everything, yet at times I did find it was too descriptive for my liking, but in saying that still an amazing story of a world at war and only Ifferon can stop it. Throughout the story there is poetry that the author himself wrote, a sign of a very talented person. It can get a little confusing with all the different names of gods and places, but the story I could still grasp.

All in all, I have never read a book like this before, the English in it flows beautifully and has an old tongue to it, the author put a lot of hard work into it, and should be recognized for an amazing first book. I would highly recommend this book.




Review of Gemini of Emreiana By Kristen DaRay


(1st review for April)


I received this book for an honest review. This story is told through the eyes of Carson a young 18 year old. She lives in a small town in Alice and lives a normal life. Until she finds out she’s from another planet called Emreiana, where she will take the throne and bond with a fellow Gemini in marriage.
The story is based on Earth letting us see Carson discover who she really is, and understanding that she must let go of all she loves including her boyfriend Klye, But Aaronmon a protector of the royal family is there to ease her transition.
Even though the story is based on earth, it’s still very intriguing we learn all about the new planet Emreiana, they have their own language and are very advanced in technology. Also the people of Emreiana are born with certain gifts that fall’s into four categories. The world of Emreiana sounds so beautiful with its three moons that dictate’s the time of year.
The story is very well written and I can’t wait to read the second book, which will be based in Emreiana and we can start to see Carson in her true settings.