GUEST POST: Eternity Can Wait by Paula Bell

Today, we have a special guest! Let us welcome Paula Bell, author of 'Eternity Can Wait', who will be the guest of today and she's written her first novel and was just released this year! So, enjoy and anticipate!

"Eternity Can Wait" by Paula Bell

“Eternity Can Wait” is a magical, Young Adult novella.

Part paranormal romance, part modern-day fairy tale, it’s a story full of danger, hope, and love.

Jilted by her boyfriend and abandoned by her best friend, Jenny’s summer is shaping up to be a complete disaster. Even her college plans have been wrecked by her ex-boyfriend and the blonde cheerleader he dumped her for. Jenny is facing the prospect of not only a miserable summer, but also a long and unexpected gap year alone.

The only thing that gets her off the sofa and out of the house is the thought of visiting her aunt, and meeting up with some old friends out of town.

Jenny’s journey doesn’t run smoothly. With her car abandoned at the roadside in the middle of nowhere, she faces a choice. Does she head back home, or should she take a risk and continue on foot through the notorious woods she’s grown up hearing so many eerie stories about? 

A mysterious stranger steps in to help her. When Jenny finds out who, and what he really is, nothing will ever be the same for her again.

Here's the characters for the story! 

Some of my favorite paragraphs:

Christian took her into the woods away from the village. They came to a small clearing, where beautiful flowers and lilac bushes grew. The air carried the fresh scent of fir and pine. The forest was glowing in gold and green under the bright sunlight. Jenny walked slowly, trying to absorb every moment.

There was a sunny place, where some flowers were crestfallen. They looked as if they would fade soon. Jenny felt sadness at the sight. Christian noticed it in her eyes, and walked slowly to the flowers. He reached out his hand to them. They suddenly stood up as if they had been moved by an invisible force, and they looked fresh again. Jenny couldn’t believe her eyes.

“You are taking my breath away!” she said, astonished.

“I am sorry!” He looked at her with concern.

“No, that’s nice! How did you revive the flowers?”

“I have the gift to heal, but it’s not strong enough.”

“Can you heal people?”

“Yes, if they haven’t been hurt too badly.”

*****

Please feel free to contact me on Twitter @Paula_Bell_69.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KC2YBJM

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/444905

Review: Aquila; From The Darkness by T.L. Searle

Title: Aquila; From The Darkness
Author: T.L. Searle
Release Date: 12th September 2013
Publisher: self-published
Find on: Goodreads

Blurb: Seventeen year old Aqua Vickers lives a secluded life in the English countryside. She keeps herself that way, hiding in plain sight, out of fear. She has no idea where she came from or what she is, she just knows she isn't human. Her mother is convinced she's an angel, but does having wings make you an angel? Sharp, angular and intimidating black wings?

The only other person Aqua has let into her life is Aaron, her best friend. They've grown up together, shared every milestone and Aqua's feelings for him have developed into something more. In a moment of impulse, Aqua revels her true nature. Aaron freaks, hurting Aqua so badly that she flees into the night.

Lucas has been watching and waiting. As an Angeli Tail it is his job to be a spy; and he's been ordered to watch Aqua. Lost and vulnerable above the clouds, Aqua is reaching exhaustion. When Lucas offers her the answers she seeks, she follows him impulsively.

In a city, carved into the rock of a mountain, Aqua discovers she's not as alone as she thought; and her life has been rooted on a bed of lies and deception. In her absence, her home is attacked and her mother taken. With this new enemy intent on her capture and new family who aren't all welcoming, Aqua must integrate and train with the Angeli Guard if she has any hope of rescuing her mother from the hands of the Dragone.

The Angeli Guard Master is unforgiving and ruthless, allowing Aqua little rest from his relentless and painful training exercises. Aqua can barely stand to look at him, but can't seem to exterminate the butterflies she feels when he's around.

War is coming but Aqua's battles may need to be fought closer to home.

Detailed Review: 

< ebook copy provided by the author herself >

OK, when I started this book, honestly I was kinda irked by the short sentences. I mean it is good to keep your sentences short and informative but it felt like the character was shortlived and out of breath most of the time. It made me feel...'irked' because I didn't really see an importance within the main character due to the short off writing and it made me think of her as a side character. 

The writing is good, pretty neat and sparkly, nothing wrong but I guess you could say that it was quite well done to the point of perfection but it lost it's touch. You know the writer's feel within the words like there is something that makes this book the author herself. Do you get what I'm trying to say? It lost it's authenticity or it's feel of being the author's work, a little evidence here and there that sprinkles the author into the pages.

But anyhow, the story of Aqua is quite interesting and how she has come to know that she has these black wings and how she confronts them to her best friend who rejects it ultimately. It was such a crushing feat to Aqua. But I do love the character style that the author's drawn up. She's really put a little bit of personality for the characters throughout the story. When Lucas came in, I was like "Seriously?" Yes, the Lucas character was unsettling, totally bleh to me. The moment he came in, I disliked him. It was this feeling in my gut that definitely spelled out 'H-A-T-E'. Have you ever felt that way about a character? Secretly, I prefer Aqua's dorky childhood best friend. 

There was only the occasional sarcasm that continued during the book and that held out the story's significance for Aqua. It helped to express more of her emotions and you could tell that she is quite sardonic with Lucas and somehow it has definitely pushed a lot of puncture points to enable the story have more personality. 

But what I especially love from this book was it's fantasy.  

I love how the author had created this world where humans evolved from birds and humans from mammals. I can actually picture a mountain full of characters with beautifully etched wings on their backs in different shades and how they each all signify a role within the story. It became so apparent that parts with Aqua discovering who and what she actually is was the main goal that made me consistently think about how these bird-human creatures called Avian /Angeli came into the story. 

Those parts made me very interested in these beings and invite a more original storyline that is hard to find as everyone is always looking for the usual vampires, werewolves, etc. instead of creating their own new species; that was one of the points that made me accept this request. 

In the 'book world', I think, many people are writing the same thing over and over again, it becomes overrated and quite boring. It typically makes me yawn whenever I pick up a book with the same storyline, same characters, same setting but otherwise this story has something different. 

It has imagination. 

Brief Review: A truly transcendent fantasised reality that made me enjoy it's telescopic world of evolutionary winged human beings. Searle, has created a book full of wonderful creatures and the coinciding fate of one Angeli who still believes in humans. 

Final Rating: 4/5    "Really Liked It"

Reviewer:

Waiting on Wednesday: They All Fall Down by Roxanne St. Claire

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that features upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication 'can't-wait-to-read' selection is:

Title: They All Fall Down
Author: Roxanne St. Claire
Release Date: 14th October 2014
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Find on: Goodreads

Pretty Little Liars meets Final Destination in this YA psychological thriller that will have readers' hearts racing right till the very end!

Every year, the lives of ten girls at Vienna High are transformed.

All because of the list.

Kenzie Summerall can't imagine how she's been voted onto a list of the hottest girls in school, but when she lands at number five, her average life becomes dazzling. Doors open to the best parties, new friends surround her, the cutest jock in school is after her.

This is the power of the list. If you're on it, your life changes.

If you're on it this year? Your life ends.

That's quite a short, but powerful synopsis. I first saw this book featured on a Waiting in Wednesday post and I was immediately pulled in by the title and the cover. I don't think I've ever heard of such a book like They All Fall Down, but I'll certainly give it a try!!!

What are you waiting on this week? Comment below!

ARC Review: Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Title: Killer Instinct (The Naturals #2)
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Release Date: 4th November 2014
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: Seventeen-year-old Cassie Hobbes has a gift for profiling people. Her talent has landed her a spot in an elite FBI program for teens with innate crime-solving abilities, and into some harrowing situations. After barely escaping a confrontation with an unbalanced killer obsessed with her mother’s murder, Cassie hopes she and the rest of the team can stick to solving cold cases from a distance.

But when victims of a brutal new serial killer start turning up, the Naturals are pulled into an active case that strikes too close to home: the killer is a perfect copycat of Dean’s incarcerated father—a man he’d do anything to forget. Forced deeper into a murderer’s psyche than ever before, will the Naturals be able to outsmart the enigmatic killer’s brutal mind games before this copycat twists them into his web for good?

With her trademark wit, brilliant plotting, and twists that no one will see coming, Jennifer Lynn Barnes will keep readers on the edge of their seats (and looking over their shoulders) as they race through the pages of this thrilling novel.

Detailed Review: <<I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review>>

What can I say? I didn't see THAT coming. 

Killer Instinct was just as good as the first book, The Naturals. It had just as much action, suspense, mystery and romance.

And plot twists.

Let me explain. 

There are lots of these: including the identity of the serial killer, Dean's past, Agent Locke's replacement, etc... Get ready for a few towards the end. They come without warning. 

One of the characters who I thought was a work of art was Agent Sterling. She's reserved and calm on the outside; on the inside, she's impulsive and caring. Based on Cassie's profiling of her, she is a complicated character indeed. She's very deeply involved with Dean and his father (you'll find out why in the book) and actually cares for the adolescents in the Naturals program more than she lets on.

Dean reminds me of Will from TID. Why? He pushes everyone away when they get close, to protect them. He's selfless and caring. He cares for Cassie more than he really lets on.

Once again, Cassie is the brave heroine and the main character in the story. She's intelligent, kind, and is really good when it comes to empathy. In the end she was the one who saved many lives from getting lost. I don't think I've loved her as much as in this book.

Michael and Lia were great if you wanted to find some humour to ease the tension in the book. Sloane's spurting of random facts definitely help too.

Once again, the alternating points of view between Cassie and the UNSUB also helps to create suspense in the book. It somehow discloses the identity of the killer but also it hides him, if that even makes sense. 

The story itself is also a masterpiece- one painted with vibrant colours and perfection. It was as good as it could be.

I really really hope that there is another book in this series, since I really haven't had much of a taste of romance yet. I can't wait to see how it develops further, if there really is a third book! I'm definitely Team Dean!!!

Brief Review: Expect yourself to read this book in one sitting. So many things came into play to make the awesomeness that was Killer Instinct: the tension that was omnipresent, the rich characters, the plot twists and the story. This book would be perfect for fans of Criminal Minds and those who delight in wracking their brains to solve a really complex mystery!!!

Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing!'

QUOTE:

I found this to be a very good quote when it came to people's views of Dean:

There are very few monsters who warrant the fear we have of them--- Andre Gide

Your Reviewer:

TGIF- Feature & Follow #207

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY is a blog hop that is designed to provide as much exposure towards other bloggers as well as yourself, and to expand following. It's hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read, each whom feature a chosen blog for a week, it's also an interesting way to get to know one another bloggers.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What are some of your favorite picture books - either current ones or ones from your childhood?

I don't remember any picture books; most of them have been given away, but I have been working with children so I have been reading picture books (they still have words in them though but the pictures are beautiful). Here are a few of my favourites:

East of the Sun, West of the Moon

The Children of Lir

Anansi and Turtle Share Dinner

That's all! What about you? Comment below!!! Don't forget to comment if you are an old or new follower!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Boy with the Hidden Name (Otherworld #2) by Skylar Dorset

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that highlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication 'can't-wait-to-read' selection is:

Title: The Boy with the Hidden Name (Otherworld #2)
Author: Skylar Dorset
Release Date: 2nd December 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Find on: Goodreads

This is not your average trip to Fairyland...

Selkie Stewart has just saved her quasi-boyfriend, Ben, from a fairy prison run by the Seelie Court. If they weren't the two most-wanted individuals in the Otherworld before, they definitely are now. Along with Ben and the rest of their ragtag group of allies-Selkie's ogre aunts; a wizard named Will; Ben's cousin Safford; and Kelsey, Selkie's best friend-Selkie is ready to embrace her destiny and bring the Court down. Until she hears the rest of her prophecy: Benedict le Fay will betray you, and then he will die.

I've just finished the first book in the series a few days ago, and to be honest, I am still in a huge book hangover after reading it. And yes, even though I am reading another book now, I still can't get it out of my mind. The story keeps replaying in my head. That's how much The Girl Who Never Was really got to me. I also love the covers for all the books in the series; they seem to capture the mood- mysterious and beautiful- so well. I will be posting a review for The Girl Who Never Was so watch out for that in the future!

Cover Reveal: Fever by Melissa Pearl

Genre: NA Contemporary Romance

Release date: June 15th

 

Cover Reveal!

Fever ( A Songbird Novel )

Designer: Mae I Design

Ella Simmons does not want to move across the country. But she is, because her boyfriend has persuaded her to join him at UChicago to finish out her college education. Never able to tell him no, she hops on a plane and makes the trek from LA expecting to adjust to life like she's often forced to, but things are not that simple when she hears a luscious voice singing over her shower wall. His deep, sexy tenor makes her weak in the knees, spreading fire through her limbs and making her question everything about her life and relationship.

Can one voice really have that much of an impact?

Cole Reynolds is on his way out. In his final year at UChicao, the only this he wants to do is finish school and get on with this life. But the sweet voice that interrupts his morning shower turns his world upside down. Compelled to find his shower songbird, he begins a search across campus. The only thing to distract him from this goal is his roommate's gorgeous girlfriend who's just arrived from LA - Ella Simmons.

Relationships are put to the ultimate test as future dreams are questioned and friendships are thrown on the line for love.

Excerpt

My voice grew stronger as I sang through the first verse of Cheek to Cheek. Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald sang my favorite version of the song. I was so in love with those two. Probably because my mother was a jazz/swing freak. Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong…they were always filling our house with music. But Ella, she was my mom’s favorite and she’d quickly became mine. The woman had a voice like an angel…the supreme songbird. That’s what Mom used to say.

I ended the verse strong on the high note and was about to dip low for the last line when a deep, masculine voice joined me from the other side of the wall. 

My breath hitched, my heart rate tripling. Man, that was a sexy voice. My insides flooded with heat and it wasn’t because of the shower. I bit my lip, wondering how to respond. My mind was flashing with images of a naked man beneath his own shower head. What did he look like? If the person matched the voice, he must be built like a greek god. My insides coiled tight as I touched the tiles in front of me.

I’d never had such a physical reaction to someone’s voice before. I mean, yeah David was sexy in his own way, but whoever was on the other side of this wall was making my knees weak.

The man chuckled, a low gruff sound from his throat…at least I think that’s what it was. It was kind of hard to hear through the wall, but then he started singing again and it was crystal clear. 

He finished the next line.

He paused.

Waiting.

For me.

Pressing my lips together, I blinked a couple of times and then grinned. 

About the Author

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Author Blog / Book Blog / Pinterest

Sign up for Melissa's Newsletter

Melissa Pearl was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but has spent much of her life abroad, living in countries such as Jordan, Cyprus and Pakistan... not to mention a nine month road trip around North America with her husband. "Best. Year. Ever!!" She now lives in China with her husband and two sons. She is a trained elementary teacher, but writing is her passion. Since becoming a full time mother she has had the opportunity to pursue this dream and her debut novel hit the internet in November 2011. Since then she has continued to produce a steady stream of books. Recently she signed with Evatopia Press and her first Evatopia book is coming out in February 2014 - True Colors, The Masks Series #1. She is very excited to be trying out new things this year while continuing to publish under her own name as well. She has six books planned for 2014 and is excited about writing each and every one of them.

"I am passionate about writing. It stirs a fire in my soul that I never knew I had. I want to be the best writer I can possibly be and transport my readers into another world where they can laugh, cry and fall in love."

Blog Tour + Review: Written On Her Heart by Paige Rion

Hey everyone! We're very happy to have participated in the Written On Her Heart blog tour!

Title: Written On Her Heart
Author: Paige Rion

Publisher:-

Release Date: 23rd April 2014

Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: Andi Callaway has dreamed of becoming a published author her entire life. 

Ford Delaney has always wanted nothing more than to escape his past. 

An opportunity of a lifetime. This is what Andi finds when she returns home to Callaway Cove on summer break. A chance to work for her literary idol Ford Delaney is up for grabs, and she’s willing to risk everything—her boyfriend, her best friends, and her education—to get it. 

She’s positive this will be the key to reaching her dreams. But the moment she begins working for the reclusive author, Andi realizes there’s more to him than just a name. As attraction builds between Andi and Ford, she begins to discover consequences must come hand-in-hand with something great—which could loosen control over her tightly wound life. And once romantic sparks fly, Andi’s other relationships start to crumble, Ford’s fame comes back to haunt him, and the heat they generate will either forge a powerful, enduring love or threaten everything she holds dear. 

Detailed Review: I had the honour of beta-reading WOHH for the author. 

No words can describe my admiration for the author after reading Written on Her Heart. 

The story is very simple, but this book proves to be one of those books that are simple yet touching. Also it has got these layers of secrets waiting to be peeled back at each turn of the page. 

WOHH tells a story about a girl who dreams of being a writer and when an opportunity arises that allows her to achieve her dreams, she eagerly takes it, mindless of the consequences or the effects it will have on her life.

Callaway Cove is a very beautiful setting because it just gives this stay-calm vibe that makes the pain and beauty of the story stand out even more. It just brings out the characters and their stories. 

Andi, the main character is very much a control freak. She has got everything planned out for the future. But the sudden job offer brings her future plans to a halt and she has to start from scratch. 

Ford has always found writing as a form of therapy but he never expected it to backfire against him. He goes to Callaway Cove for refuge. And finds unexpected surprises waiting for him, including his assistant Andi. 

The swoon-worthy romance was a winner. It definitely captured my heart. I was surprised by how much it had affected me when I finished the book.

Not to mention the splendid twists I stumbled along the way. It took quite a while for me to finished reading this book because every time I reached a twist, I couldn't read on for fear of what would have happened after that. However, it never took long before I was ready to take on the challenge of reading again. It's almost like overcoming your own fears. I felt so proud of myself after finishing.

Brief Review: When I think of WOHH, I can't help but remember the feelings I experience while reading it. I have no doubt that Paige Rion has crafted a masterpiece that will be admired by many in the future. The subject which this book is focused on will attract the attention of many aspiring writers. It wasn't only Paige's writing skills that impressed me; it was the setting, the characters and the romance that captivated me. 

Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing!'

QUOTE: 

To Andi, who always dreams big,

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams--- Eleanor Roosevelt

Your Reviewer: 

BUY LINKS

Amazon Kindle:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JPOXIB0

Amazon Paperback:  http://www.amazon.com/Written-Heart-Callaway-Series-Volume/dp/1497403316/

Kobo:  http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/written-on-her-heart

Barnes & Noble Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/written-on-her-heart-paige-rion/1119235191?ean=2940149230297

Smashwords:  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/429647

Author Bio

Paige Rion is a contemporary romance author. She’s a mother, wife, blogger, hopeless chocoholic, coffee-addicted, wine-lover. Her debut, novel—a new adult romance—Written On Her Heart, is the first in the Callaway Cove series. The next in the series is to be released this summer. She loves connecting with readers on her blog and social media. 

You can visit her website at http://paigerion.com/

You can also connect with her here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaigeRion_books

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorpaigeryan

Win Paige Rion & WOHH Swag!!!

Prize 1

 Paige Rion deluxe tote. Your choice of either Paige Rion/WOHH t-shirt or “Team Ford” t-shirt. WOHH mug with quote. A signed bookmark and a mini Paige Rion candy box!

Prize 2

WOHH t-shirt. WOHH mug with quote. A signed bookmark and mini Paige Rion candy box!

Prize 3

 An exclusive WOHH iPhone 4 case. A white mug with genuine Paige Rion signature. Signed bookmark and mini Paige Rion candy box. (If winner does not have an iPhone 4, they will receive prize 4 and another winner will be drawn).

Prize 4

 10 more winners will receive a signed bookmark and a mini Paige Rion candy box!

Due to shipping costs, US ENTRIES ONLY.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review: The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

Title: The Truth About Alice

Author: Jennifer Mathieu

Release Date: 3rd June 2014

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: Everyone has a lot to say about Alice Franklin, and it’s stopped mattering whether it’s true. The rumors started at a party when Alice supposedly had sex with two guys in one night. When school starts everyone almost forgets about Alice until one of those guys, super-popular Brandon, dies in a car wreck that was allegedly all Alice’s fault. Now the only friend she has is a boy who may be the only other person who knows the truth, but is too afraid to admit it. Told from the perspectives of popular girl Elaine, football star Josh, former outcast Kelsie, and shy genius Kurt, we see how everyone has a motive to bring – and keep – Alice down.

Detailed Review: Whenever I approach a contemporary, it's usually with a sense of fear and curiosity. Why? Usually I find some books that are really very hard to connect with because the characters seem too perfect and the setting is simply too unbelievable (no high school, just a beach? What do the kids do these days?)

The Truth About Alice, was not one of these books. Instead, it relates with high school life very easily, making it so much easier to imagine the story in my head. The setting was a great setting, because it somehow set the boundaries for how far the stories would go.

Another good thing about it was that it was written from 4 perspectives about the main character, rather than letting Alice herself be the voice of the story. This makes it even more intriguing because you see the main character through the perspectives of four very different people with different intentions:

Kelsie: She used to be Alice's best friend, until the rumors started. She just stopped hanging out with Alice anymore, for fear that if she did, she'd become what she used to be: a friendless dork. 

Elaine: She's on the top rung of the popularity ladder. She sets trends for people to follow and everybody worships her. She may not hate Alice but she sure as hell doesn't like her either.

Josh: Brandon's best friend. Football player. Hot and popular. But he does have one secret that could change people's perceptions about Alice in a minute.

Kurt: He's had a crush with Alice since the first time he saw her. And he also possesses one secret that could change everything and possibly tear apart his friendship with the used-to-be-friendless Alice.

All four of these characters have the power to change Alice's life. This is what hit me the hardest. They are like determinants in Alice's life. What they do, what they say, dictate Alice's life. And this led me to think, doesn't this apply in real life too?

Yes it does. 

The Truth About Alice describes high school perfectly. It reminds us that these things actually happen or have happened.

There was one thing I dislike. The lack of swoon-worthy romance. But I think Jennifer probably thought, "Alright, I'm not gonna put in much romance in it, we still need to stay focused on Alice, not some love story." So I'll probably let this go for this book.

Brief Review: Jennifer's use of four different perspectives give us much more insight than Alice could have given about herself. Not only is it intriguing, it shows awareness of the other characters and also lets us know more about them through what they say about Alice. The Truth About Alice highlights high school life in its ugliest and prettiest: the price of popularity, the leaving of fake friends, and the discovering of real friends. This book does not make out high school to be what it seems to be, and this will be what pulls most readers in; the truth will draw you in. Overall, a truly positive debut to Jennifer's writing career!

Final Rating: 4.5/5 'Really Liked It!'

QUOTE: 

To everyone in the world, who believe the lies so easily

The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them.- Maya Angelou

Your Reviewer: