Thursday, December 12, 2013

Unusual Awakening by S.M. Knowles

Unusual Awakening by S.M. Knowles

Title: Unusual Awakening
Author: S.M. Knowles   
Genre: Young Adult
Tour Host:
Lady Amber's Tours



Book Description:

With tears and a tight hug, Rylee Everley’s dad left for Afghanistan with the Army Reserve. Since his deployment, her mom has been distant, her sisters are constantly fighting, and Rylee, at only thirteen years old, has to be the glue to keep them together. While her mother stays locked in her room, Rylee has been forced into the role of parent.
Now, two years later, a freak accident involving a bus at school promises to restore some normality to her family. In spite of not knowing how their father is, her mother is happy and her sisters don’t seem to fight as much as they used to. Rylee herself is seeing more of her friends and is even trying to sort out her own feelings about Brock Parker. However, something dark threatens to disrupt that normality for personal gain, and that darkness is willing to break every rule to get what it wants.
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Author Bio:

S.M. Knowles was born in Elmira, New York where she was swept away in a whirlwind to the Land of Oz—Independence, Kansas. Her parents were relocating for working opportunities and decided that this would be the perfect place to start new roots. Little did she know that this place would contribute to the inspiration for the first book she wrote in her Rylee Everley Series.
While growing up, S.M. would travel the roads around her house while imagining she was somewhere else. Her imagination would take her everywhere, making the long hot summer days seem shorter throughout her fantasies.
At the age of twelve, she decided to write her first book. Filled mostly with dialog, she filled up one-hundred pages, front and back. After taking the book downstairs to show her mom, and persuading her to buy her more paper, she excitedly ran back to her room. As she barreled through the door, S.M. tripped over items left on her floor, and her papers came raining down in her room. Discouraged, she stood there in tears, picking up her papers and throwing them in the trash. Her work had no organization, no numbers on her pages, just a child fulfilling a joy that she would put down and not pick up again.
When she became older, she joined the military for something different. In that time, she was able to explore many places and even met her husband in Iraq. After coming home, she started her family in Arizona and went back to school, earning a Master’s degree in Adult Education and Training. Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrOQwyLPeMM&feature=em-upload_owner#action=share

Excerpt:

Getting up, I walk over to the tree line. I don’t see anything around, so I grab a rock and throw it to scare off any animals. Walking in further, I call out, “Hello?” Everything is quiet. I wait a few more seconds. Something feels off. Walking in a little further, I hear a branch break. I know I didn’t step on anything, so something’s unquestionably out there. “Who’s out here?” I yell. A big oak tree stands directly in front of me, right next to him. “No, no, no, no,” I beg.
 
    http://www.youtube.com/embed/5y_KJAg8bHI : Avicii, Wake me up
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IigRv6B763k : Eric Clapton, My father’s eyes



My Review:  

I found this book to be intriguing.  It does keep your attention and keep you guessing.  I personally found a few things here and there that did annoy me personally, but they may not annoy another reader.  Rylee is a likable character, though sometimes I wanted to smack her, and you do want to root for her to overcome this mentality of thinking that she can't have a boyfriend and that she only has room for her absent father in her heart until he comes home.  If I was her friend, I probably would shake her and smack her a little, lol.  I am looking forward to the next book in the series, so that says something!

 http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/bfdedc1

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Garden of Eden by Kate Cowan *REVIEW*





4 catchers out of 5!!!


I felt that this book was a pretty cool idea. I feel it was executed well. The only thing was editing could have been a bit better, but I kept reading, so that's a bonus. :D It's a quick read and keeps your interest.

Eden White is fifteen and sick of being a prisoner of her parents. Catchers are the enemy. They took most of her family. Eden and Will (her friend) are captured and taken to an island full of abducted children. Making new friends on this mysterious island, can she trust those around her? Is everything as it seems?

Eden must find herself and find the power within.

--Liza



RAFFLE COPTER!!!!!

https://www.facebook.com/katecowanauthor?sk=app_228910107186452

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

The Long Game by J.L. Fynn

***We were provided this review copy in exchange for an honest review***

4 out of 5 stars!

Let me start by telling you about the book! This about a boy named Shay who lives in a traveler clan. His brother Jimmy Boy and him do a lot of small time scams to get by. Most of the travelers do. So when he gets confronted by the head of the clan and asked to do a special scam that only he can do, he is all for it.  Jimmy Boy thinks this can finally be his break. His mom Isn't too thrilled, but he can't turn it down.  He has to do it for her. All he has to do is swoon an old clan member's daughter and get something from the old clan member that he stole from them! Easy! Right? What can go wrong? The author did an awesomely great job!

This book kept me guessing and was very interesting. I haven't read one like this before. Can't wait to read the sequel!! Thanks for letting me read it!!


<3 Liz

10/09/13

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Friday, October 4, 2013

Sing her Home by June Austin REVIEW

Sing her Home
Review

4 stars

*This book was provided to Writers Refuge as a review copy.*

I don't think I've ever read a book quite as sad as Sing her Home is - or one quite as raw and beautiful. Sing her Home is a book about a Cassidy, a 12 year old girl, who has it pretty good, until she's 10. When her father and sister skid off the road, everything in her life spirals out of control.
The gist of it: Sing her Home takes you directly into the mind of Cassidy. It's raw, but I feel like I'm in the mind of a 12 year old. I can hear her talk. I can feel her emotions. I hurt right along with her. And this, right here, is the beauty of Sing Her Home.

But that's about all I can say about Sing her Home right here, because honestly, I don't know exactly what happened in the book. I'm not sure what was real, what wasn't, what was a dream, and what really happened.

And since I can't say anything else without revealing spoilers, so from this point on, THERE WILL BE SPOILERS.
If you don't like spoilers, stop reading NOW.




Last warning!





...ok.

I knew when I started this book that it was going to be one of those weird ones. Not in a bad way - but in a way that, if the character is confused, I'm right there with her. That’s EXACTLY what happens. I feel like Cassidy doesn't have any idea what’s going on. I like her way of putting it; it's like moving between two houses. One, with her sister Ruth in it, is life, and the other, with her family, is... death? I don't know. That’s just it. I don't know anything with this book. I don't know which 'house' is real, and I don't know if Cassidy's time in foster care is real, and I don't know if her mom went nuts or just plain shot herself, because at different times in the book, we are made to think that all of the above is true. Meaning, now, I have NO IDEA what happened.
Well, not for the most part, anyways.

But at the same time, I feel like this confusion was all carefully planned by the author. Because, as I read, I kept thinking... something's missing. It's a puzzle, and pieces are missing, and I can SEE that they're missing, but it's like they've been left out in purpose. For instance: Where's Ruth, when Aunt Doreen is watching Cassidy? Ruth was just... not there.
Ruth also wasn't there when the cop told the mother that the car had skidded off the road.
So I'm starting to think - as I write this - that maybe Cassidy and the mother were also in the car when it went off the road. It only makes sense - the one person left alive is Ruth, and she's nowhere to be found when this is all going down.

Anyways, I digress.
I will take one star away - leaving you with a final 4 star review - because, at the end, I thought I would have a moment of clarity. A paragraph, or even just a few lines, telling me what really happened, what didn't, and what was imagined. That moment never came, and although maybe Cassidy also wasn't sure what had happened, I wanted to know.
Sing her Home is so beautiful. I can't stress that enough. And I can't wait for Williams Story! I will be reading it!

-Lizzie


Product Details

Friday, September 27, 2013

The Guardians Crown by Wendy Owens is out!!!



Out now, The Guardians Crown by Wendy Owens!  
(book 5 in The Guardians series)

Blurb:
 Gabe is finally forced to answer the ultimate question, will he give his life to save the world? What about just to save the one he loves the most? The Guardians struggle to find another way—ideas that don’t involve Gabe’s death—to defeat Baal. Time is running out. What will Gabe choose? What price will he pay for that choice?


http://www.amazon.com/Guardians-Crown-ebook/dp/B00FFM77OK/ref=la_B006COBFKC_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1380291360&sr=1-7 

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Interview with M.R. Murphy!


http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/08/17/44f55ac9d06c0ac1d18878.L._V359969267_SX200_.jpg


1.      If you don't mind telling us, where did you get the idea for “The Last Kiss”?       
           
Well, I’ve always loved the idea of past loves coming back to make a second try of things. Partially it’s from personal experience and the rest just my overzealous imagination.

2.      What made you want to become a writer?                                                                           

 It was the only way for me to make sense of everything in my head. I always seem to have a million and one thoughts passing through my brain at all times. This way I can focus and use my creative side for effectually.

3.      What do you use as your inspiration?                                                                            

Music. Music is the key for me. Oh and crazy weird dreams!

4.      Where do you feel that you do your best writing?                                                                                

Sometimes at the local Starbucks, other times, out on my back patio. I prefer being outside to write mostly.

5.      If you ever get stuck in a part of a story, how do you get out of your writer’s block?                                

 I find stepping away from that project and either hitting the gym, hiking or writing something completely different such as poetry helps me refocus or spark new ideas. Keeping my mind and body active is crucial for my creative process.

6.      Which is your favorite character from any of your books/series? Why?                                              

Oh it’s the 64 million dollar question! Oh boy. That’s a hard one to answer. So how about I go with my favorite character at the moment? In truth, I adore just about all my characters, however Nisroc (aka Roc) from the soon to be released The Chronicles of the Dark Angels: Darkest Before Dawn, is currently the one keeping in stitches. He’s such a wise ass! I love it!

7.      If you could be any character from your books, who would you be and why?

Again, another tough one! You’re killing me smalls! If I could slap a few of them together, I’d be a happy camper! Okay, maybe I’ve love to be Kakabel from The Chronicles of the Dark Angels series.  She’s a tough warrior, but underneath she’s compassionate. Tall, (what can I say, shorty over here!) witty, complex but understanding. She’s everything I want to be when I grow up, plus, I mean come on, she has wings and can fly and dematerialize, who wouldn’t want to be able to do that!

8.      If you could go anywhere (within our reality and universe) where would you go?                                      

I’d love to be able to travel around the universe, and check out different star formations such as nebulas. Other than that, I’ve always wanted to visit Ireland and mingle with family over there.

9.      What are 3 essentials you must have when writing? 

Music, Coffee or Tea and if I’m writing at home, no human distractions. If I’m at Starbucks, the corner comfy seat away from everyone.

10.  Is writing your sole job? If not, what's your other job? If yes, what did you do before you became an author?                                                                                                               

No, I’m also a photographer and operate a stock photography company. Also, I’m a massage therapist for humans and horses. I like to balance working with my creative side with my healing side.

11.  Who is your favorite Indie author?

Jenna Pizzi. Her works hit home and damn, she makes me cry with her stories, in a GOOD way!

12.   Out of all of your characters, which do you relate to the most?     
      
 It’s a toss-up between Ferrian and Asher both from The Chronicles of the Dark Angels series (TCOTDA for short).

13.  Do you have any WIP that you can/want to tell us about?

Currently I’m working on the third book in The Sisterhood of the Oracle Legacy: Always Mine and outlining the second book in TCOTDA series: Rising Sun

14.  I know I have not had the chance yet to read your book, but can you spoil me/us with some excerpts? 
  Certainly!
Let me in, Sweetheart.” he whispered into her mouth. She didn't resist him as he sliced his way in, instead she melted into him. Her fingers climbed up his chest, tangling together behind his neck. Words didn't matter, not when he had her here, like this. Her body pressed against his as small mews flowed from her lips.

 “I love you,” she breathed against his lips.

“I know, sweetheart.” Aidan sank into the depths of her mouth, and she was immediately grateful that he wasn't about to waste another minute thinking about the past. He slipped his hands around to the small of her back, sending an instant flash of goosebumps abrading across her skin. A small gasp burst from her mouth as his hands cupped her ass fiercely, lifting her higher against him. There was no denying it. There was a fever in their veins, intoxicating her with the liquid fire of her addiction. Even as a single crystal tear trickled down her cheek, she didn't bother to wipe it away; instead she allowed the salty droplet to linger on her lips. His kiss grew more urgent as he carried her to the door.
“Damn, slider's shut.” he growled, fumbling for the door handle. Staring down at her, Aidan’s impish grin turned downright devilish as he backed her up against the door. His stony chest pressed against her until all that was left between them were a few scraps of clothing.
        The fire in his eyes glowed more brightly than before as she stared into them with the insatiable hunger that assailed her every second that they weren't tangled together in a delicious mess. Her mouth crashed over his. There was no tenderness, only raw heat as she sliced her tongue through his impish grinning lips. Raking her fingers over his shoulders, she hung on with every pulsating muscle in her body, ripping hastily at the buttons down the front of his shirt.© 2013 The Last Kiss by M. R. Murphy

15.  Is there any advice you’d give your younger writing self or to other starting writers out there? 
            Remember to breathe when you find yourself getting frustrated, Perseverance is crucial. This isn’t a competition against other authors, only yourself.  And don’t be afraid to scrap what you’ve written when it just doesn’t work (But I usually save things, you never know when you might be able to use it elsewhere ;)) , edit and edit some more, and be careful who you show your work to.  Learn to take constructive criticism without getting offended and use it to your advantage.



You can get your copy of M.R. Murphy's book "The Last Kiss" on Amazon! :) 



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