Scheduling Wicked Rose Book Tour

Hello again everybody! I am once again scheduling a book tour and have spaces open for bloggers who are interested in joining the tour.

This time around, I am scheduling a book tour for Madalynn Davis' young adult book, Wicked Rose.

If you're interested in hosting a stop on the tour, I can be contacted by email at: sarah.f.empey@gmail.com.

Wicked Rose Blog Tour October 22- November 2

Dates Available: 

Friday, October 26

Tuesday, October 30

Wednesday, October 31

Thursday, November 1

Friday, November 2

Still reeling from her father's murder, sixteen-year-old Noelle Hart returns to Whisper Preparatory Academy, an exclusive private boarding school in the sleepy town of Whisper, Connecticut.  She tries to move on with her life, but things get off to a rocky start.  Arguing with friends, dodging the overbearing Headmaster, and staying out of her nemesis' line of fire are almost her undoing.
​
Until she meets Gabriel Merriweather.​Over night, Noelle's luck takes a turn for the better.  For the first time in her life, Noelle is the girl that every other girl at school wants to be.  Once and for all, Noelle is able to step out of her older, perfect sister's shadow and be the center of attention. At last, her world is perfect. ​But, all good things must come to an end. ​When one of her friends is brutally murdered, Noelle becomes the prime suspect.  Noelle's world is turned upside down when she learns that a secret sisterhood known as the Hive may be responsible for her friend's death and others.  If Noelle and Gabriel cannot fight their way through the labyrinth of lies and secrets surrounding the Hive, then she may be next.

Book Tours "Currently Scheduling"

     You may have noticed that I know organize book tours or, then again maybe not, in which case I would like to inform you that I know arrange book tours! I am currently featuring the blog tours that I'm scheduling at the top of my sidebar, and I am also going to be writing posts about when I am scheduling a new book tour to let you know, so that anyone who's interested can participate :)

     That being said, I have two blog tours which are coming up fairly soon, one at the end of September and one at the beginning of October, both of which I need blog tour hosts for. I'm including all of the info about those two tours below. If you're interested shoot me an email with your blog url and what day/ tour you would like to host, my email address is: sarah.f.empey@gmail.com.

Once Upon a Remembrance Blog Tour October 1 - October 12

 Dates Available:

Monday October 1

Tuesday October 9

Thursday October 11

Once Upon a Remembrance: Book 1 Women of Strength time travel trilogy: Photographer Isabeau Remington travels to 1894 Virgina and falls in love with a man she must ultimately leave behind when she returns to her own time...but things are not always as they seem.

Modern day photographer Isabeau is pulled from the present time and thrust back into the year 1894 in Virginia. She must help save Hawk Morgan, a man threatened by a killer, a man endangered by his own erased memories. Hawk must survive in 1894 so his present day ancestor Pierce Morgan, will be alive in Isabeau's future.

Isabeau begins to fall in love with Hawk Morgan but with both their future's uncertain and a killer on the loose, neither one of them may have a tomorrow to look forward to.

Island of Tory Blog Tour September 24 - October 1

Dates Available:

Fully Booked

Arella Cline, a sixteen year old teen from Wexford Pennsylvania, finds her life turned upside down when her family summer vacation begins with a tragic car accident which kills both of her parents. Going to live with her Great-aunt Fi, Arella tries to start a new life on a tiny island off the western coast of Ireland. Everything about Tory Island, however, is objectionable to her–the gray and wet weather, the stringent academy she is forced to attend, as well as the island’s lack of modern day amenities. The only thing Arella likes about Tory is Declan McQuilan, a handsome, dark-haired boy who attempts to show her the island’s hidden charms....

To read more about Island of Tory or check out my personal review click here

Deconstructing Infatuation Review

Rating: 3/5

 

Title: Deconstructing Infatuation

 

Author: Merce Cardus

 

Page Count (ebook): 74

 

Official Description

Sometimes, whether you're single or with a significant one,

somebody appears in your life unexpectedly.

We feel the need to know who this person is,

the need to know exactly who this person is.

A story may offer different interpretations, even with several irreconcilable and contradictory meanings. As in Francesca da Rimini and Paolo Malatesta's story in Dante's Divine Comedy, this story is not about unfaithfulness either. This story is about infatuation: what burns inside of oneself when we let ourselves fall madly for someone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Thoughts

    The way in which Merce Cardus approached infatuation and its role in relationships was uniquely interesting. Each chapter deals with a different aspect of infatuation and its effect on the infatuated person. I would have appreciated far more description of the characters, I believe that deeper development of the characters would have certainly made the main character's emotions more understandable and easier to grasp. One thing which confused me deeply was the sudden change in perspectives. The entire novel is written in third person and then suddenly in the last the chapter the main character begins speaking from first person. I understand that this was used to enhance the reader's understanding of what had taken place in the story but it personally threw me off. Overall, I think that this story offers a unique look at infatuation and is certainly worth a read.

Buy Links

Amazon

 

Island of Tory Review

Rating: 5/5

Title: Island of Tory

Author: Regina M. Geither

Page Count (ebook): 192

Official Description

Arella Cline, a sixteen year old teen from Wexford Pennsylvania, finds her life turned upside down when her family summer vacation begins with a tragic car accident which kills both of her parents. Going to live with her Great-aunt Fi, Arella tries to start a new life on a tiny island off the western coast of Ireland. Everything about Tory Island, however, is objectionable to her–the gray and wet weather, the stringent academy she is forced to attend, as well as the island’s lack of modern day amenities. The only thing Arella likes about Tory is Declan McQuilan, a handsome, dark-haired boy who attempts to show her the island’s hidden charms.

But there are too many strange things happening on Tory to make Arella feel that she could call the island home. She keeps seeing shadow figures and strange auras and hearing her parents’ voices. The people on the island are very secretive. And when Arella tries to leave on a ferryboat, she blacks out only to find herself back at her aunt’s cottage as predicted by Cannon Fidelous, another teen stranded on the mysterious island.

When Arella quits The Academy of St. Colm Cille, Father Cillian, a kindly old priest, offers to tutor her using an ancient book of prophecies which is now considered the history of Tory. What he teaches her will lead to a journey into ancient magic and Tory’s cursed past. Arella is forced to face her fears and newly discovered powers to turn back the pages of history in order for her to return to the present.
    

My Thoughts

       Island of Tory completely enchanted me, it has been quite a while since I've read a Young Adult book this good! Everything about this book was spot on. The language was beautifully descriptive without being overbearing, which made the setting so vivid I felt as if I walked into the damp mist of the British Isles myself. The character development was exquisite, every detail about the characters was revealed at just the right moment, making them entirely believable. The story itself was also extremely fluid flowing purposefully through the celtic tides of the tale. I became so enthralled that I finished this story in one day, I simply could not leave the book for a single moment!

      I urge to read this immediatley, the suspense will leave you itching for more as its dark romance and irish lore sucks you deep into this celtic enchantment.


Book Links

Book/ Author Site

Place an order through the author's site

City of Fallen Angels Review

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Rating: 4/5

Title: City of Fallen Angels

Author: Cassandra Clare

Page Count (hardcover): 424

Inside the Cover

The Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She's training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And - most importantly of all - she can finally call Jace her boyfriend.

But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine's Circle, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second bloody war. Clary's best friend, Simon, can't help her. His mother just found out that he's a vampire and now he's homeless. Everywhere he turns, someone wants him on their side - along with the power of the curse that's wrecking his life. And they're willing to do anything to get what they want. At the same time he's dating two beautiful, dangerous girls - neither of whom knows about the other one.

When Jace begins to pull away from Clary without explaining why, she is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: She herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. The stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

My Thoughts

     I'll admit it I had doubts, a lot of doubts. I absolutely adored the first three books in The Mortal Instruments Series immensly and for some reason after finishing the third, I came to the conclusion that it was a trilogy. With that in mind, I was contented with the ending so, when I heard there was a fourth book I was more than a little uncertain about it. Hadn't Clare already wrapped everything up? What story could there be left to tell?

    Let me tell you, I was wrong. I don't know how she did it, how she managed to create another masterpiece of Young Adult literature but she did and it was magnificent. City of Fallen Angels is absolutely riveting, I couldn't tear myself away from turning page, after page, after page. The descriptive language Clare uses to write drew me into the story and though I read the third book over two years ago, like a good friend, once I dug into City of Fallen Angels, it felt as if no time had passed.

Book Links:

Goodreads

75% off Youth Fiction Titles with code percyartemis75

Waiting on Wednesday

        This week I have decided to participate in Breaking the Spine's weekly meme, Waiting on Wednesday. I am a huge fan of Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush Hush Saga, I mean honestly who isn't in love with Patch?! The final book in the series aptly named Finale is coming out this fall and I cannot wait!!! The synopsis isn't up yet but if you want to check out the author's page click here. 

Don't you just love that cover!!!

Döckálfar

Rating: 3/5

Title: Döckálfar

Series: Book Three of Nordic Fairies

Author: Saga Berg

Page Count (ebook): 53

Official Goodreads Description

     The third part of Nordic Fairies, Döckálfar, continues where the second part, Freja, left off. Alrik comes to visit Svala and warns her about the dangerous path Viggo is on, infiltrating himself with the Döckálfar. We learn what happened to Viggo during World War II and get more information about his relationship with Amanda Jones. Viggo also contacts Svala with some unexpected news and insist they meet up. Svala then receives some more unexpected information about Amanda and Viggo, leaving her unsure about who she can trust.

My Thoughts

    I think perhaps that my opinion and rating of Döckálfar would have been higher had Freja and Döckálfar both been one book. I think that the main problem with Döckálfar was that, if it was torn apart from the series, the reader would be entirely lost. Though all books in a series will inevitably have very close ties between them and they usually make far more sense when read together, they also need to be able to stand on their own because whether they are novella or novel length each book in a series is just that, its own story.

     Though I don't think Döckálfar is capable of being a stand alone novella as it reads more like the next chapter of Freja it was nevertheless, a good read. When you pick up Döckálfar expect a well-written novella that goes much deeper into Viggo's past, even switching to his perspective at times (rather than continuing from Svala's perspective which is more prominent in the first two novellas). Being a huge stickler for character development, something which I never seem to stop talking about, I tuly appreciated how Berg placed a lot of emphasis on Viggo in this novella. Overall, I
think Döckálfar is definitley worth a read, though to fully appreciate it you really have to read the first two novellas in the series first.

Click Below to Read it Yourself

Amazon
Smashwords
Goodreads


My Previous Reviews of This Series

 

 Nordic Fairies (the first novella) 

Freja (the second novella)


 

Pearl Lover- A Peek at the Cover

Author: Kea Noli

A Comment on The Cover

    Recently I received a request to review Pearl Lover by Kea Noli, I have to confess I haven't started it just yet but with a cover like this I can hardly wait! I always find it so refreshing when I self-published book has a good cover. There are just too many good, self-published books out there with horrendous covers that don't get nearly enough attention because the cover isn't enticing. Just looking at this cover and her mysterious eyes, I feel like I want to know more about her, who is she? what is she thinking?

    I know your not supposed to judge a book by its cover but for some reason everybody does anyways. So I'm curious, what do you think makes a good cover?

If this cover makes you want to read the book as much as me click on the link below; Pearl Lover is going to be free this weekend on Amazon!

Amazon

Nordic Fairies

Rating: 3/5

Title: Nordic Fairies

Series: Book One of Nordic Fairies

Author: Saga Berg

Page Count (ebook/novella): 43

 

Official Amazon Description

What would you do if your lover since a thousand years back in time reappeared after two years apart as a famous movie star, and you couldn't get to him?

Svala and Viggo have spent a hundred lives together over the last thousand years. As Liosálfar, Nordic light fairies, their job is to do good and to uphold a balance in the mortal world. A balance, often compromised by the Döckálfar, Nordic dark fairies.

In this life, Svala turns on her TV and learns that Viggo has become a popular movie star. This is not only highly unexpected, it indicates something is wrong and that Viggo is attempting to contact Svala before their assignments are carried out, an action which is strictly forbidden.

Svala seeks him out, but not without breaking a few rules of her own, and learning that things are not always as they seem.

My Thoughts

      I think the only truly appropriate way to describe saga Berg's first novella is, short and sweet. The first installment in the Nordic Fairies series of novellas is certainly intriguing. It gives you just enough of glimpse into what the rest of the series holds that you want to keep reading; it nearly drove me mad with curiosity when it ended just when I was getting into the story. The hint of romance between Viggo and Svala, as well as the original plot offered a taste of what I am hoping will develop to be a truly satisfying read. Overall I simply can't wait to see if Berg follows through after reading such a promising start!

Click Below to Read it Yourself!

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

Goodreads

The Gathering

Rating: 3/5

Title: The Gathering

Series: Book one of Darkness Rising

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Page Count (hardcover): 359

Official Book Description:

     Maya lives in a small medical-research town on Vancouver Island. How small? You can’t find it on the map. It has less than two-hundred people, and her school has only sixty-eight students–for every grade from kindergarten to twelve.

      Now, strange things are happening in this claustrophobic town, and Maya’s determined to get to the bottom of them. First, the captain of the swim team drowns mysteriously in the middle of a calm lake. A year later, mountain lions start appearing around Maya’s home, and they won’t go away. Her best friend, Daniel, starts experiencing “bad vibes” about certain people and things. It does’t help that the new bad boy in town, Rafe, has a dangerous secret…and he’s interested in one special part of Maya’s anatomy: Her paw-print birthmark

My Thoughts:

      After hearing wonderful things about #1 New York Times Best Selling author Kelley Armstrong I decided that I simply had to find out for myself what all the buzz was about. So, when I noticed The Gathering while perusing the YA section of the library I decided to check it out. Perhaps I've just been reading too many classics lately but in my opinion The Gathering just wasn't that amazing. Now that's not to say that I won't read the rest of this series, or that I won't read any of her other books, but what's for sure is that Kelley Armstrong's The Gathering just didn't strike a chord within me.

     I think one of my main problems in The Gathering arose from a lack of connection to the characters. Yes, Armstrong did have decent character development and certainly went into great depth when describing the background history of Rafe (the love interest), but I just didn't form enough of a deep connection with Maya (the protagonist) to really understand her point of view. What I believe truly hindered my connection with Maya was the lack of foreshadowing to who she was. Though Armstrong did include a bit of foreshadowing, she simply threw in what would have been very intriguing clues, after she revealed what Maya was, which prevented the development of a truly intriguing mystery of her identity.

     I applaud Armstrong for creating a world in Darkness Rising that is completely removed from all of the vampire and werewolf content that most YA books are based upon today. I found it rather refreshing not to have to hear all about another girl's discovery of vampires, and was pleasantly surprised to discover the book was based upon Aboriginal Mythology (not sure if mythology is the correct term but you see where I'm going). And I absolutely loved the setting of the novel, which was located in a small, remote town in the Bristish Columbia's Canadian wilderness.

    Despite the fact that I'm not head over heels in love with The Gathering, I am looking forward to following the rest of the series. I'm curious to see what happens to Maya as her journey continues and whether or not Amrstrong's writing style improves! 

      

If you want to check out The Gathering for yourself; click on the link below!   

Amazon

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