Cover Reveal: Defend by Kallie Ross – Lost Tribe Series – Book 2

Defend - Cover

 

Defend

Lost Tribe Series- Book 2

Young Adult Fantasy

By Kallie Ross

Release Date: May 21, 2015

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Synopsis

 

After emerging from her Descent into an uncharted underground world, Ollie Miller is sure of three things. First, her feelings for her best friend, Mateo, are far from platonic. She can’t even look at Mateo without blushing at the memory of his lips on hers. Second, an evil man named Zadok is plotting to destroy the civilization above the surface. Third, there is no way to save the earth without returning underground. At least this time, she will have her mother along with Mateo and her friends to help guide her.

On their journey, noor, a mystical blessing guides them, but only if they’re willing to follow. Ollie’s determined to save the tribe from their evil leader, even if it means facing off with her long-lost grandfather. As Zadok comes face to face with his runaway daughter and his granddaughter, his plan starts to unravel, but is it too late to stop the destruction that he put into motion? Can the tribe survive and the surface be saved? Will Ollie learn to trust her own heart before it is too late?

Defend is the conclusion to Ollie’s discovery of a lost tribe in Descent. Don’t miss this adventure, brimming with ancient secrets and a thrilling underworld.

The Lost Tribe Series

Descent – Book 1 

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Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** iTunes ** Kobo

Descent

Lost Tribe Series- Book 1

Synopsis

Seventeen year old Ollie Miller is ready to leave all of her hurt feelings behind, but moving on seems impossible while living next door to her ex-best friend, Mateo. When curious earthquakes begin to shake and rip open the foundation of her small town, the ground becomes as unsteady as her feelings for him. When they fall, they fall hard…
Ollie’s disastrous attempt to save Mateo’s brother from falling into a curious chasm results in their descent into a cavernous wonderland. Ollie, Mateo, Jesse, and Alexis search for a way back home, and encounter a mysterious tribe of natives. Gabriel, the next in line to lead his people, is granted permission to guide them to the surface. On their treacherous journey, an overzealous elder threatens all of their lives, because he can’t risk them exposing his people, or the power he wields. The group discovers ancient secrets, unexpected truths, and uncharted feelings. Ollie must find a way out or risk being stuck in the caves forever—or worse, dead.

 

KallieRossOver time my love for learning gravitated toward studying conspiracy theories and contradictions in our culture. My conclusions have ignited a passion to write compelling young adult fiction that incorporates legend, conjecture, fantasy, and conviction. I am a wife, mother, friend, writer, and teacher. I began teaching high school English in 2002 and started blogging and podcasting in 2008. I have a brilliant husband, two redheads, and never imagined my life would be this fun!

 

 KallieRoss.com

5 Star Review: Sea of Stars by Amy A. Bartol- Kricket Series- Book 2

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Sea of Stars

The Kricket Series – Book 2

By Amy A. Bartol

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Synopsis

Eighteen-year-old Kricket Hollowell was looking for her place in the world when she discovered that the universe was bigger—and more dangerous—than she had ever dreamed. Now, whisked across space to the planet Ethar, Kricket learns that her genetic ability to see the future makes her a sought-after commodity…and the catalyst for war between her star-crossed parents’ clans. According to Alameedan prophecy, one house will rise to power and the other will be completely wiped out, and Kricket’s precognition is believed to be the weapon that will tip the scales.

A target of both the Rafe and the Alameeda houses, Kricket finds protection—and a home—in the arms of Trey, her Etharian bodyguard-turned-boyfriend. But her visions of what’s to come disturb her deeply, especially since she must discover whether the gift of foresight will allow her to rewrite the future, or if her fate is as immovable as the stars.

The highly anticipated sequel to Under Different Stars, winner of four 2014 utopYA Awards.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble 

5Star

Robin’s Review

If you have not read the novel Under Different Stars, this review may contain spoilers. I would like to express my appreciation to NetGalley and 47North for the opportunity to read and review Sea of Stars.

I’d like to introduce you to the world of author Amy A. Bartol. She writes novels in the young adult genre. Paranormal, science fiction and fantasy with a touch of romance. She is probably better-known as the author of the Premonition series. I plowed through every novel of the Premonition series during the early months of 2013. Although her paranormal romance series about angels continues to be a work in progress, Bartol surprised readers with something completely different back in December of 2013. It was a novel titled Under Different Stars, and it was the first novel of a brand new series.

The Kricket series is a combination of science fiction and fantasy. Science fiction is not my usual cup of tea, but I knew Amy A. Bartol was capable of writing a creative and exciting new story. This review is specifically for the second novel of the Kricket series, Sea of Stars, but I’ll give a brief summary of Under Different Stars for readers who are interested in this series.

In Under Different Stars, we learn eighteen-year-old Kricket Hollowell grew up in the foster care system of Chicago, Illinois. In recent years, Kricket has become an expert at evading case workers, learning how to blend in and live on her own. She has always longed for someplace she could call home. Trey Allairis is given the assignment of locating Kricket. He is to retrieve her from Earth and bring her to Ethar. Kyon Ensin knows just how special Kricket is. She’s not just your average teenager from Chicago, and he is also in the process of locating Kricket.

Trey is from the House of Rafe; Kyon is from the House of Alameeda. Kricket learns her father is Rafian, and her mother is a Priestess from the House of Alameeda. She learns her ability to see the future is a catalyst for a war between her parent’s clans. Under Different Stars is a fantastic start to the Kricket series. We learn about the differences and conflict between the five houses of Ethar and why Kricket is so important to their future.

This brings me to Sea of Stars. If you have read any of her novels, you already know Amy A. Bartol has a fantastic imagination! Under Different Stars sets the stage for the rest of the Kricket series. We are introduced to the world of Ethar, which is very different from Earth. When I think of the differences, it makes me realize the amount of thought Bartol put into this series! Bartol created a unique language specifically for the Etharians. When I sat down to read Sea of Stars, it had been months since I read Under Different Stars. I had forgotten what many of the Etharian words mean, so I was very happy to discover Bartol included a glossary for her readers to refer to. And that glossary was a lifesaver for me – don’t be afraid to use it!

Sea of Stars is full of strategy and nonstop action and completely unexpected twists and turns! I really thought I understood who the bad guys were after reading Under Different Stars, but now I’m not so sure. We have an antagonist who I am strangely empathizing with. This is confusing for me because I absolutely love the relationship between Kricket and Trey. We are introduced to new characters who are in pursuit of Kricket in Sea of Stars. What are their agendas? Do they have good or bad intentions? And, finally, war breaks out on Ethar. All of that nonstop action that I mentioned earlier? Sea of Stars just steamrolls into pure awesomeness throughout the entire story!  It keeps getting better and better until we finally reach the climax! For all of these reasons, I am giving Sea of Stars a 5-star rating and placing it on my list of 2015 favorites! Don’t be afraid to try something different. I highly recommend the Kricket series!

 

The Kricket Series

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Under Different Stars

The Kricket Series- Book 1

By Amy A. Bartol

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Synopsis

Kricket Hollowell never wished upon stars. She was too busy hiding in plain sight, eluding Chicago’s foster care system. As her eighteenth birthday approaches, she now eagerly anticipates the day she’ll stop running and finally find her place in the world.

That day comes when she meets a young Etharian soldier named Trey Allairis, who has been charged with coming to Earth to find Kricket and transport her to her true home. As danger draws close, he must protect her until she can wield the powers she cannot use on Earth…and he soon realizes that counting a galaxy of stars would be easier than losing this extraordinary girl.

Kyon knows the powerful depths of Kricket’s gifts—gifts he’ll control when he takes her for his tribe and leads the forces that will claim Ethar and destroy his enemies, starting with Trey Allairis. Now, Kricket faces the most difficult choice of her life: whether to wage a battle for survival or a fight for love.

Winner of four 2014 utopYA Awards, including Best Book of the Year and Best Sci-Fi Book of the Year.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

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amy bartolAuthor of Inescapable: The Premonition Series (Volume 1), Intuition: The Premonition Series (Volume 2), Indebted: The Premonition Series (Volume 3) , and Incendiary: The Premonition Series (Volume 4). Currently working on a fifth novel in the Premonition Series entitled Iniquity.

Under Different Stars (Kricket Series Book 1)
Sea of Stars (The Kricket Series Book 2) – (Release date 3/31/15)

The Divided – A Science Fiction Romance short story, which is included in the Take Me To Your Reader: An Otherworld Anthology.

I live in Michigan with my husband and our two sons. My family is very supportive of my writing. When I’m writing, they often bring me the take-out menu so that I can call and order them dinner. They listen patiently when I talk about my characters like they’re real. They rarely roll their eyes when I tell them I’ll only be a second while I finish writing a chapter…and then they take off their coats. They ask me how the story is going when I surface after living for hours in a world of my own making. They have learned to accept my “writing uniform” consisting of a slightly unflattering pink fleece jacket, t-shirt, and black yoga pants. And they smile at my nerdy bookishness whenever I try to explain urban fantasy to them. In short, they get me, so they are perfect and I am blessed. Please visit me at my website: http://www.amyabartol.weebly.com

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

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Happy Release Day: Sea of Stars by Amy A. Bartol – Kricket Series – Book 2

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Sea of Stars

The Kricket Series – Book 2

By Amy A. Bartol

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Synopsis

Eighteen-year-old Kricket Hollowell was looking for her place in the world when she discovered that the universe was bigger—and more dangerous—than she had ever dreamed. Now, whisked across space to the planet Ethar, Kricket learns that her genetic ability to see the future makes her a sought-after commodity…and the catalyst for war between her star-crossed parents’ clans. According to Alameedan prophecy, one house will rise to power and the other will be completely wiped out, and Kricket’s precognition is believed to be the weapon that will tip the scales.

A target of both the Rafe and the Alameeda houses, Kricket finds protection—and a home—in the arms of Trey, her Etharian bodyguard-turned-boyfriend. But her visions of what’s to come disturb her deeply, especially since she must discover whether the gift of foresight will allow her to rewrite the future, or if her fate is as immovable as the stars.

The highly anticipated sequel to Under Different Stars, winner of four 2014 utopYA Awards.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble 

The Kricket Series

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Under Different Stars

The Kricket Series- Book 1

By Amy A. Bartol

b3f54-goodreads-button

Synopsis

Kricket Hollowell never wished upon stars. She was too busy hiding in plain sight, eluding Chicago’s foster care system. As her eighteenth birthday approaches, she now eagerly anticipates the day she’ll stop running and finally find her place in the world.

That day comes when she meets a young Etharian soldier named Trey Allairis, who has been charged with coming to Earth to find Kricket and transport her to her true home. As danger draws close, he must protect her until she can wield the powers she cannot use on Earth…and he soon realizes that counting a galaxy of stars would be easier than losing this extraordinary girl.

Kyon knows the powerful depths of Kricket’s gifts—gifts he’ll control when he takes her for his tribe and leads the forces that will claim Ethar and destroy his enemies, starting with Trey Allairis. Now, Kricket faces the most difficult choice of her life: whether to wage a battle for survival or a fight for love.

Winner of four 2014 utopYA Awards, including Best Book of the Year and Best Sci-Fi Book of the Year.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

______________________________

amy bartolAuthor of Inescapable: The Premonition Series (Volume 1), Intuition: The Premonition Series (Volume 2), Indebted: The Premonition Series (Volume 3) , and Incendiary: The Premonition Series (Volume 4). Currently working on a fifth novel in the Premonition Series entitled Iniquity.

Under Different Stars (Kricket Series Book 1)
Sea of Stars (The Kricket Series Book 2) – (Release date 3/31/15)

The Divided – A Science Fiction Romance short story, which is included in the Take Me To Your Reader: An Otherworld Anthology.

I live in Michigan with my husband and our two sons. My family is very supportive of my writing. When I’m writing, they often bring me the take-out menu so that I can call and order them dinner. They listen patiently when I talk about my characters like they’re real. They rarely roll their eyes when I tell them I’ll only be a second while I finish writing a chapter…and then they take off their coats. They ask me how the story is going when I surface after living for hours in a world of my own making. They have learned to accept my “writing uniform” consisting of a slightly unflattering pink fleece jacket, t-shirt, and black yoga pants. And they smile at my nerdy bookishness whenever I try to explain urban fantasy to them. In short, they get me, so they are perfect and I am blessed. Please visit me at my website: http://www.amyabartol.weebly.com

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

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Happy Release Day: Instinct by Sherrilyn Kenyon- The Chronicles of Nick Series- Book 6

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Instinct

The Chronicles of Nick Series – Book 6

A Part of the Darkhunter World

By Sherrilyn Kenyon

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Synopsis

Zombies, demons, vampires, shapeshifters–another day in the life of Nick Gautier–and those are just his friends. But now that he’s accepted the demon that lives inside him, he must learn to control it and temper the very emotions that threaten the lives of everyone he cares for. Something that’s hard to do while trying to stay off the menus of those who want his head on a platter. And no one wants him more than the dark gods who created his race. Now that they know where he is, they will stop at nothing to reclaim him. And without knowing it, Nick has just embraced the one person he should never have trusted. The one person who will hand him over to his enemies to get back the life they lost.
Nick has finally accepted his fate, now he must learn to defy his destiny, and the dark, deadly forces that will stop at nothing to destroy everyone he loves so that they can again return to the world of man and own it, in the next Chronicles of Nick novel, Instinct, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Kobo

chronicles of nick

The Chronicles of Nick Series

Infinity

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Kobo

Invincible

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Kobo

Infamous

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Kobo

Inferno

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Kobo

Illusion

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Kobo

Instinct

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Kobo

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sherrilyn kenyonNew York Times and international bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon is a regular at the #1 spot. With legions of fans known as Menyons (thousands of whom proudly sport tattoos from her series and who travel from all over the world to attend her appearances), her books are always snatched up as soon as they appear on store shelves. Since 2004, she had placed more than 65 novels on the New York Times list in all formats including manga and graphic novels. Her current series are: Dark-Hunter, Chronicles of Nick and The League, and her books are available in over 100 countries where eager fans impatiently wait for the next release. Her Chronicles of Nick and Dark-Hunter series are soon to be major motion pictures while Dark-Hunter is also being developed as a television series. Join her and her Menyons online at SherrilynKenyon.com and http://www.facebook.com/AuthorSherrilynKenyon

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter Goodreads

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Happy Release + Giveaway : Spark-X by Jessica Sorensen- Death Collectors Series- Book 3

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Happy Release Day to Spark (the Death Collectors Young Adult version) and Spark X (the the Death Collectors New Adult version) by Jessica Sorensen. Check out a teaser from the New Adult version below and make sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win an ebook copy of one of these books! Good luck!

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Synopsis

Now that Ember is a Grim Angel, she’s facing the biggest challenge of her life. Not only does she have to decide if her heart lies with Asher or Cameron, but she has to make a choice that could alter the fate of the world.

Good or Evil.

Angels or Reapers.

Which side will conquer?

**Mature Content Warning** 17+ for language and sexual content.**
(New adult paranormal version of my young adult book, Spark (Death Collectors, #3). It contains more violence and more sexual content.)

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Synopsis

Now that seventeen-year-old Ember is a Grim Angel, she’s facing the biggest challenge of her life. Not only does she have to decide if her heart lies in Asher or Cameron, but she has to make a choice that could alter the fate of the world.

Good or Evil.

Angels or Reapers.

Which side will conquer?

(This is the young adult version of Spark X (Death Collectors, #3).

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Excerpt

**from Spark X – the New Adult Version**

Prologue

Asher

I’ve been in love with Ember Rose Edwards for a while, but she doesn’t know it. I can’t tell her, either, not when the battle’s ending solely rests on her making a choice and sacrificing someone she loves. If I were to divulge how I feel, I’d be interfering even more, and I’ve already been banished for entering her life. It’s not something I regret. I made the choice the day I first saw her. I wanted her in my life, regardless of the consequences.

That day feels like such a long time ago, yet it hasn’t been more than a few months. So much has happened since then. So much has changed, for the better and the worse.

God, we were both so different back then.

As I sit beside her bed and watch Ember sleep, my thoughts drift back to the day when I first laid eyes on her…

I was sent to that place to collect a soul, but what I didn’t expect was that I’d end up at a house crammed with a ton of humans, dry humping the shit out of each other. I had instantly wanted to get the hell out.

A rock song plays on the stereo and floats across the room full of people dancing. Beer cans and cups cover the floors, and the air is drenched with the stench of cigarettes. It has been a long week. Michael, the leader of the Angels, has sent me on a total of five missions to collect souls, which is a large amount compared to most Angels. Then again, Michael has never been a fan of me, considering I have Reaper blood.

My sole purpose tonight is to wait until the person dies then collect their soul before the Reapers get ahold of it. I’ve already spotted three Anamotti, and I’m guessing they’re here for the same reason I am—waiting for the person to pass away.

I sense a fight in the air, thick and heavy, like tar.

I lean against the wall near the corner, watching the crowd, drinking a beer, eager for the night to be over. As my gaze travels over each human, I wonder which one of them is the unlucky person who will die tonight. Humans are so fragile, so…

The air suddenly thins and charges with electricity, full of life and death mixed together. My attention drifts to the side of me, my senses sharpening as I zero in on a girl. Ember Rose Edwards. Her name comes to me like a breath of fresh air.

I’ve never met her before, but know her name for solely one reason—she carries Angel blood, just like she carries Reaper blood.

Sadly, I haven’t crossed paths with a Grim Angel in a while, because Reapers are making them a dying breed. Usually, I pass by without so much as a second glance, despite my connection to them. This time, though, I find myself staring. One, two, three songs go by, and I still can’t seem to take my eyes off her.

She’s gorgeous, to say the least. Dark hair flows down her back, skin as pale as snow, full lips as red as a rose, and big, hazel eyes. But her beauty isn’t the only thing that captures my attention. It’s the pain hidden in her eyes, masked beneath her strength.

Her attention is fixed on the throng of dancing people, and she looks as uninterested as I felt until I laid eyes on her. She keeps her distance, too, probably because of her Grim Angel ability to see death with a touch.

I know I should stay away. Let her be. I’ll be breaking a lot of rules if I interfere with her life, but I find myself moving in her direction, drawn to her.

When I reach her, I whisper the first thing that comes to mind. “God, it’s like mating season in here.”

She shudders from the feel of my breath and stumbles forward, stomping on the toe of my boot. As she regains her balance, her gaze whips in my direction and slowly travels from my boots to my shirt then finally rests on my eyes. She swallows hard as our gazes lock, and I realize she is afraid of something.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you,” I apologize quickly.

She shivers again then clears her throat. “Sorry about your shoes.” She starts to back away nervously. “Crowded rooms just make me a little uneasy.”

I chuckle, crunching the empty cup in my hand and chucking it into a nearby trashcan. “I know what you mean. All this”—I gesture at the people dry humping one another—“is an excuse for the opposite sex to rub up on one another.”

“That’s a pretty good observation.” She almost smiles, and I feel like I won the lottery or something.

Pressing my lips together, I inch closer and lean over her shoulder. She stiffens from my nearness, probably worried I’ll touch her and force her to see my death. I won’t put her through that, though, so I make sure to leave a sliver of space between us.

“Take those two for instance.” I point at a girl with pink hair dancing with a gangly guy. He moves with a huge lack of coordination, while the girl is graceful, looking bored as hell. “I think they’ve got their own mating ritual going on. Although, I think it might be a one-sided mating ritual.”

She tracks where I’m looking. “I think you’re right.” She turns to me, and for a moment, the pain in her eyes vanishes and pure lust flashes, instead. “It looks like she’s bored.”

My heart thuds deafeningly inside my chest from the look of desire in her eyes directed at me. “Is she a friend of yours?”

She nods, biting her lip contemplatively. “Her name’s Raven.”

I cock my pierced brow. “Like the poem?”

“You know Edgar Allan Poe?” He face lights up with excitement.

Jackpot. The girl has it bad for the dead poet, who I vaguely remember meeting two centuries ago.

“A little bit.” I stare at her beauty, trying to figure out what to do next. I know what my body wants to do with her, and my mind seems to be veering toward the same thing. Regardless, I’d be in a shitload of trouble for touching her. Fuck, even this conversation is going to get me into trouble.

“What’s your name?” I ask, trying to act as normal as I can.

“Ember.” She scoots forward, holding her breath as a girl stumbles by, having a drunken conversation with the air.

“Ember … I like it.” I dare a step or two closer and breathe in the faint scent of her—roses with a hint of lilies. “ ‘And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor,’ ” I quote the one line I can remember from Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven.”

“I thought you said you knew a little?” she asks me, impressed.

I shrug, stuffing my hands into my pockets. “What can I say? I’m fascinated with the idea … love, death, and the insanity it brings.”

She grows uncomfortable with my mention of death, and her eyes anxiously sweep the crowd as if she’s seeking an escape. I can’t have her leave just yet. I need to keep her here a little longer. I don’t want her to go.

 

AboutTheAuthor

 

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Jessica Sorensen is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author from the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she’s not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads


Giveaway
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SERIES READING ORDER

The Death Collectors New Adult Version

Book 1 – Ember X

Amazon | B&N | Smashwords | Kobo | iTunes

Book 2 – Cinder X

Amazon | B&N | Smashwords | Kobo | iTunes

Book 3 – Spark X

Amazon | Kobo | iTunes

The Death Collectors Young Adult Version

Book 1 – Ember

Amazon | B&N | Smashwords | Kobo | iTunes

Book 2 – Cinder

Amazon | B&N | Smashwords | Kobo | iTunes

Book 3 – Spark

Amazon

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Happy Release + Giveaway: Awakening You by Jessica Sorensen – The Unraveling Series – Book 3

awakening you

Unraveling Banner

Happy Release Day to Jessica Sorensen and her new book AWAKENING YOU, book 3 in the Unraveling Series. Check out a teaser from the book and make sure to enter the giveaway below for a chance to win an ebook copy of this book!

awakening you

Awakening You

Unraveling Series – Book 3

By Jessica Sorensen

Synopsis

Lately, life has been going well for Ayden. His relationship with Lyric is starting to heat up and his career in music is taking off. But the disappearance of his sister still weighs heavily on his mind.

Desperate to find out where his sister is, Ayden decides to take drastic measures. But his dangerous risk leads to the unraveling of secrets, and he’s left facing a darker past then he ever could have imagined.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes /Kobo

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Excerpt“And don’t ever forget that, my friend.” I remove the dipstick, glance at the oil level, then put the stick back in. Wiping my hand off with a rag, I step back from the car. “It looks like it might—” My back bumps into Ayden.
He hardly ever instigates contact first, expect on rare, amazing, wonder-filled occasions, so I allow myself to enjoy the earth-shattering moment and breathe in the feel of his body heat.
I smile stupidly when he doesn’t move away. “Whatcha doing?”
“Nothing.” His voice is uneven, revealing his nerves. “I was just…” He releases a breath then places his hands on my hips. Surprisingly, his fingers are steady. “I just wanted to touch you.” He rests his forehead against the back of my head and inhales deeply. “And to make sure you’re okay.”
“Okay about what?” My eyelids drift shut as I lean into his touch.
His simple touches are better than light.
They awaken my body and bring it to life.
More. More. More, my body is craving.
The addiction is potent, consuming, aching.
Leaves my body wanting, pleading, shaking.
Sometimes I feel like I’m withering, fading.
Fading. Fading. Fading.
Into him.
“About … about what happened the other day … when I sleepwalked.” His fingers grasp onto me, and his chest crashes against my back as his shallow breaths turn ragged. “I know I probably freaked you out. I’ve been meaning to ask you about it, but I didn’t want to upset you, so I decide to wait until stuff cooled off.”
“I’m not upset about what happened.” And not surprised one little bit that my theory about him was right. I turn around and loop my arms around him. “I’m just worried about you and how you’re handling it.”
“I’m fine,” he swears, searching my eyes for my true feelings. He forgets, though, that I’m like an open book.

5Star

Michel’s Review

Awakening You is the third book in the Unraveling You series.  This is a mature YA / New Adult series that is intwined with mystery and romance.

Ayden is finally starting to settle into his new life.  He loves his new family and he loves Lyric.  They are easing into a new kind of relationship.  They are falling in love.  The one thing that bothers Ayden is his issues with intimacy and being touched.  He can touch others but still has problems with others touching him.  He is hoping that his therapy will help him overcome these issues.  He wants to have a healthy and loving relationship with Lyric.  She is the reason his heart beats.

His hypnotic therapy is another issue.  He is remembering bits and pieces of his past but when it comes to seeing actual faces, the memories have not surfaced.  The therapy sessions are elevating his levels of stress and anxiety.

The pressure is on.  His sister has been kidnapped and the clock is ticking.  The police are pressuring Ayden for more.  His parents and psychologist want him to ease up on his hypnotic sessions.  He wants to try the experimental therapy because he is fearful for his sister’s life.

The group, which is now looking to be an occult, is desperately trying to get Ayden back.  They are leaving ominous notes, following him, and haunting his dreams.  The terror and danger has escalated.  Both the police and his parents are fearful for his life.

Ayden can’t move forward until he can remember his past.  His past may not let him move forward.  Cliffhanger……

This book really escalated the terror and suspense that is looming over Ayden’s life.  It also gave the reader visions of his captors and the torture he endured.  It also moved his relationship with Lyric forward into a full blown romantic relationship.

Jessica Sorensen is doing an excellent job with this series.  I am dying to get my hands on the next book.  Inspiring You is the fourth book in the series.  Release date and cover will be revealed soon.

AboutTheAuthor

 

JessicaSorensenauthor pic_new

Jessica Sorensen is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author from the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she’s not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

SERIES READING ORDER

81QurVfagkL._SL1500_Book 1 – Unraveling You

Lyric Scott has always had a good life. Outgoing, spunky, and musically talented, she’s constantly surrounded by family and friends, yet she still feels there’s something missing.

Then she meets her new next-door neighbor Ayden Gregory. Mysterious, sweet, and sad, Ayden is the exact opposite of Lyric and exactly what she needs to fill the void in her life.

Ayden has been through more than most people and believes his life is always going to be rocky, so when he’s suddenly adopted by the Gregorys, he’s thrown for a turn. But even with a new, loving family, he still finds himself haunted by the memories of his old life. The only true breath of fresh air is when he’s with his best friend, Lyric Scott.

As Lyric and Ayden grow closer, the lines of their friendship start to blur. But when Ayden’s past unexpectedly pushes its way into his new life, their friendship and newfound attraction will be tested.

**A book about Ella and Micha’s daughter and Lila and Ethan’s son from The Secret Series. However, this series can be read on its own.**

Amazon | B&N| Kobo | Smashwords | iTunes

81x6K59zCVL._SL1500_Book 2 – Raveling You

Ayden Gregory may want to keep running from his nightmares, but he no longer has a choice. His past is catching up with him. And fast. He relies on one person to keep him from crumbling. His best friend Lyric Scott.

Lyric feels helpless watching her best friend’s world turn upside down. But she does her best to remain positive and upbeat. Her band gets their very first gig and even with everything going on, her relationship with Ayden starts to heat up.

But when danger enters Ayden’s life again, even Lyric might not be able to help him.

Amazon | B&N| Kobo | iTunes

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Lately, life has been going well for Ayden. His relationship with Lyric is starting to heat up and his career in music is taking off. But the disappearance of his sister still weighs heavily on his mind.

Desperate to find out where his sister is, Ayden decides to take drastic measures. But his dangerous risk leads to the unraveling of secrets, and he’s left facing a darker past then he ever could have imagined.

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5 Star Review: The Unraveling Series by Jessica Sorensen- Unraveling You : Book 1 and Raveling You : Book 2

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The Unraveling Series 

By Jessica Sorensen

Genre: Mature YA / New Adult

Unraveling You – Book 1

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Raveling You – Book 2

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unraveling YouUnraveling You – Book 1

Lyric Scott has always had a good life. Outgoing, spunky, and musically talented, she’s constantly surrounded by family and friends, yet she still feels there’s something missing.

Then she meets her new next-door neighbor Ayden Gregory. Mysterious, sweet, and sad, Ayden is the exact opposite of Lyric and exactly what she needs to fill the void in her life.

Ayden has been through more than most people and believes his life is always going to be rocky, so when he’s suddenly adopted by the Gregorys, he’s thrown for a turn. But even with a new, loving family, he still finds himself haunted by the memories of his old life. The only true breath of fresh air is when he’s with his best friend, Lyric Scott.

As Lyric and Ayden grow closer, the lines of their friendship start to blur. But when Ayden’s past unexpectedly pushes its way into his new life, their friendship and newfound attraction will be tested.

**A book about Ella and Micha’s daughter and Lila and Ethan’s son from The Secret Series. However, this series can be read on its own.**

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

raveling youRaveling You – Book 2

Ayden Gregory may want to keep running from his nightmares, but he no longer has a choice. His past is catching up with him. And fast. He relies on one person to keep him from crumbling. His best friend Lyric Scott.

Lyric feels helpless watching her best friend’s world turn upside down. But she does her best to remain positive and upbeat. Her band gets their very first gig and even with everything going on, her relationship with Ayden starts to heat up.

But when danger enters Ayden’s life again, even Lyric might not be able to help him.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

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The Unraveling Series is a spin off of the Secrets Series by Jessica Sorensen.  In the spellbounding Secrets Series readers fell in love with Ella & Micha and Lila & Ethan.  Both of these couples captured the readers hearts.  These couples overcame great obstacles in their lives and found the love that would last a lifetime.  A love that has commitment, dedication, and passion.  A love that made them better people.

The Unraveling Series is a testament to the steadfast love both of these couples have found.  The Unraveling Series features their children.  Their children are coming of age and paving the road their own lives.  The guidance and wisdom their parents are giving them has made these children remarkable young people.

Each book in the Unraveling Series is novella length.  Each book packs a solid punch and moves the series forward at a fast pace.  The interweaving of romance and mystery builds the story into a solid and fluid series.  The cliffhangers at the end do not leave the reader feeling cheated, it leaves them wanting more.

Lyric is Ella & Micha’s daughter.  She is smart, talented, and compassionate.  She is the best of both her parents.  She is a ray of sunshine.  She is a “glass half full” kind of girl.  She loves fiercely.  She takes the world on full throttle.

Ayden is Lila & Ethan’s adoptive son.  They have adopted all four of their children.  These children were not adopted as babies, they were adopted when they were older.  They are former troubled foster children that were basically unadoptable.  Lila and Ethan wanted to give these children a chance at a happy life, they wanted to give these children the love and respect they deserved.  Ayden was was close to sixteen when Lila and Ethan adopted him.  He has come from a horrific background.  He and his siblings were kidnapped, abused, and tortured.  The experiences he had were so horrific, that when finally freed, he developed amnesia.  His anxiety levels are high.  It was very hard to accept his good fortune of being adopted by such a loving family.  The one person who helped open his heart and trust was Lyric.  Her unconditional friendship and positive attitude have been one of the greatest gifts in his life.  Although he really can’t put the past behind him even though he can’t remember it, he can finally move forward and embrace the good life he has been miraculously given.

unraveling YouIn Unraveling You the reader gets an introduction to the characters.  They also get to experience the strong friendship that builds between Lyric and Ayden.  They get a picture of the dynamics of both families and their relationship to one another.

The book starts out when both Ayden and Lyric are just becoming independent of their parents.  They are learning to drive and dictating their own social calendars. The deep friendship that they form becomes as natural as breathing air.  Lyric is open and breezy, Ayden is reluctant and a bit withdrawn.  He is haunted by the scars of his past.  Although he cannot remember all of it, his body scars are living proof of the horrors he survived.

Life seems to be going on an even keel when Ayden’s past comes back in full force.  The police have found his older brother murdered.  They want Ayden to help with the case.  Even though Ayden cannot remember his past, the police want him to engage in some experimental therapy to kick start his memory and help with the case.

This book ends on a cliffhanger…..

raveling youRaveling You picks up where Unraveling You left off.  Ayden has begun hypnotic therapy.  He desperately wants to help the police solve the murder of his eighteen year old brother. They have also found out that his younger sister has been kidnapped from her foster home.  He is under pressure to regain his memories.

Meanwhile his relationship with Lyric is moving into something more than friendship.  He is falling for her.  She is returning his feelings.  But his past is still a real problem beyond his memories.  He has serious issues with being touched.  He still has problems communicating his feelings.

Lyric and Ayden will grow into adulthood with a beauty that is all their own.  They express themselves through music and lyrics.  They give each other the right amount of comfort and the right amount of excitement.  But is it enough with Ayden’s past knocking on their doors.

The mystery of Ayden’s past begins to surface bits and pieces at a time.  While he is making some strides in his therapy it is not enough.

It is beginning to appear that his past wants him back.  Threats begin to surface.  Odd people begin appearing in weird places.  It looks like he is the next target.

Cliffhanger…….

AboutTheAuthor

 

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Jessica Sorensen is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author from the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she’s not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

Cover Reveal : Interim by S. Walden

 

Publication Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Genre: New Adult Suspense/Psychological Thriller

 

High school seniors Jeremy Stahl and Regan Walters aren’t friends. Not even close. He’s a picked-on, picked-apart loser outcast. She’s a cool kid running with the popular crowd. It’s unlikely they’d ever speak to one another. Too bad he’s madly in love with her. But what does it matter, anyway? He’s got no time for love. Only revenge.Meticulously detailed in the pages of his battered red notebook is his master plan: April 14, 9:30 A.M., two guns, eighty rounds of ammo, backup knives, eleven victims. He’s finally ready to answer every single taunt, jeer, and flying fist—unwarranted abuse that’s spanned six years of his lonely life. He’s justified. He’s ready. But he never readied himself for her.Regan finds his journal. She reads it, and when he discovers her intrusion, he has to switch tactics. She’s a liability now.

Better fix that.

DISCLAIMER: New Adult Standalone. This book contains explicit language and disturbing images of violence, including gun violence. If school shootings are an especially sensitive subject for you, I encourage you to refrain from reading this book.

Who was he? What was his purpose? He knew it once. Once, a long time ago, he decided to be a hero. He decided to avenge himself and all the other kids who were helpless against abuse. Once, a long time ago, he learned the difference between justice and mercy. He learned when justice was required. He learned when mercy was allowed. Once, a long time ago, he faced himself in the mirror and saw a stranger—a better boy than he could ever be. A boy with a mission. A boy with convictions. And he reached out to take hold of that boy, through the looking-glass, falling into a wonderland where righteousness ruled supreme and evil was destroyed with the pop pop! of a gun. The world made sense to him. Then.
S. Walden used to teach English before making the best decision of her life by becoming a full-time writer. She lives in Georgia with her very supportive husband who prefers physics textbooks over fiction and has a difficult time understanding why her characters must have personality flaws. She is wary of small children, so she has a Westie instead. She is the USA Today bestselling author of Going Under. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about it.
She loves her fans and loves to hear from them. Email her at swaldenauthor@hotmail.com and follow her twitter feed at @swaldenauthor.

Website: http://www.swaldenauthor.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/swaldenauthor

Twitter: @swaldenauthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/swaldenauthor

5 Star Review : Crossroads by Lori L. Otto – A Post Choisie Novella

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Crossroads

A Post Choisie Series Novella

By Lori L. Otto

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Synopsis

Will Rosser is smart.
Will Rosser is creative.
Will Rosser is driven.

Will Rosser is no Jon Scott.

This novella is a tie-in to the Choisie series. CROSSROADS takes place the summer after Livvy’s first year of College. This should be read after completing the Choisie series.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

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5Star

Robin’s Review

*** If you have not read the Choisie series, this review may contain mild spoilers.

Lori Otto recently set a goal for herself. She wanted to write and publish a short story about Will Rosser in just two weeks. It’s a goal she not only met, but even surpassed! Crossroads is a 22,000-word post-Choisie series novella about the older of Jon Scott’s two half-brothers. Many of the characters you already know and love from the Choisie series star in this mature young adult novella because it ties in with the series.

For those who have not already read Lori Otto’s Choisie series, I’ll share some background information about Will and his family. Will has an older half-brother named Jon Scott and a younger brother named Max. Their single mother is an alcoholic. Because the three brothers don’t have a father figure in their life, Jon took on the role as man of the house. Jon has made an effort to be available for his brothers over the years and, more recently, in between college classes and his internship. Jon attended baseball games and provided advice for his siblings. He encouraged them to watch over their mother and to study hard so they will be successful in life. As Jon grew older, he groomed Will to take over his role as the man of the house.

After their mother was arrested, she was forced to face her alcoholism. She moved their family from Manhattan to Utah so they could all be together while she was able to get the help she needed. Will lived in Utah for a year and a half, including his entire sophomore year of high school. At the end of the school year, Will had to leave his best friend and his first love behind to move back to Manhattan with his family.

In Crossroads, we learn that Will has planned a weekend trip to Utah over the summer break to visit his girlfriend, Laila and his best friend, Landry. It’s a trip he has planned so that he can say goodbye to Laila. Will is at a crossroads in his life. He is very much in love with Laila, but he knows he needs to say goodbye. Will and Laila both understand this visit will be the end of their relationship, and, although Will doesn’t realize it, his life will be changed in more ways than one.

Although Will’s character does play more of a role in Dear Jon, he really doesn’t get a lot of page time in the rest of the Choisie series. What I enjoyed the most about Crossroads is getting to know Will as a character and seeing his character develop throughout the novella. Crossroads is not a long story, but readers will definitely see him experience some changes in his life. Like his brother Jon, I just fell in love with his character. Will is smart. He loves physics. He has an extreme passion for music. Not only does he love music, but we are able to see the beginnings of something special. Will just might be a musical prodigy.

I don’t think it is absolutely necessary for someone to have read the Choisie series before reading this novella. If you have not read any novels by Lori Otto, Crossroads might be a great introduction to her writing. I found Crossroads intriguing, and I absolutely want to read more about Will Rosser! In my opinion, Crossroads is a solid 5-star novella!

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Author Bio:

lori l. ottoAfter graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1997 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Lori Otto worked in the billboard industry for ten years. Frustrated with trying to communicate entire messages in “seven seconds or less,” she decided to leave outdoor advertising and return to her love of creative writing.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

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Happy Release and 6 Star Review and Giveaway: Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher

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Never Never

Book 1

By Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher

Synopsis

Best friends since they could walk. In love since the age of fourteen.
Complete strangers since this morning.
He’ll do anything to remember. She’ll do anything to forget.

“Never have I had my mind blown reading a book like I have reading Never Never. It was intense, sweet, completely unpredictable and utterly fascinating. Can’t wait for the next book in this series!” ~Jen, The Book Avenue
“Hoover and Fisher have combined their unique talents to deliver a deliciously twisted tale of deceit, love and friendship that keeps you guessing long after the heart-stopping end.” ~Vilma’s Book Blog
“Twisted, sickly wicked, yet warming with a deep-layered love story. Tarryn and Colleen combine their forces for good. Alone they are talented. Together this epic duo is unstoppable.” ~Pam, The Book Avenue.

“The evil queen and the good fairy of romance have come together, and the results are more than I could have ever asked for.” -Holly’s Hot Reads

This novella is recommended for readers age 16+ due to mild language and sexual content.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Smashwords

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6 Star Read

2015 Favorite

Robin’s Review

I want to begin by expressing my appreciation for the opportunity to review an advanced reader copy of Never Never on behalf of Smut Book Junkie Book Reviews.

Colleen Hoover recently shared on a blog post how a writing partnership was formed between herself and Tarryn Fisher. Colleen began by explaining she had an idea she had been considering for a novel. She shared her idea with Tarryn. Tarryn loved the idea and encouraged Colleen to begin writing the story. Colleen remained busy with other commitments, so Tarryn decided to write a first chapter and email it to Colleen. Colleen enjoyed reading the chapter so much that she decided to write a second chapter and sent it back to Tarryn. New chapters continued to be written. They were enjoying themselves. All I can say is thank goodness they decided to publish this story!

This review will not contain spoilers beyond what the authors have previously chosen to share. But I will share a glimpse of how this special story begins. Imagine you suddenly become aware of your surroundings. You remember nothing of the moment before. You don’t know your name or what you look like or where you are. You have no recollection of your past. Silas Nash and Charlie Wynwood both experience this in Never Never. It doesn’t take long for Silas and Charlie to meet and realize they are both in the same predicament. Why did this happen to them? How do they remember? And what do they mean to each other?

Here are some details I feel comfortable sharing about this story. The events of Never Never take place in New Orleans, Louisiana. Our main characters are in high school. The chapters for the male protagonist, Silas Nash, are written by Colleen Hoover. The chapters for the female protagonist, Charlie Wynwood, are written by Tarryn Fisher. It’s young adult fiction. It’s a drama full of mystery and intrigue, where every answer they uncover leads to more questions. It’s thrilling. Romantic. There is even a paranormal aspect to this story, although I haven’t quite figured that part out. That’s because the story is not quite finished. Colleen confirmed there is more of the story to be written on her recent blog post.

Even though this novel has been written by two authors, I feel the story flowed seamlessly. Any differences in writing style felt completely natural to me. After all, Silas and Charlie have different personalities.  I immediately felt an affinity for Silas and Charlie. I guess you could say that I fell in love with these characters. I’m pretty sure I feel this way because Silas and Charlie bear a distinct resemblance to two of my favorite fictional characters.  And Charlie also reminds me of one of my favorite authors.

I love mystery mixed with my romance.  I love piecing together puzzles. But this novel left me reeling! I was wide awake into the night considering all of the possibilities for this story. What could possibly be happening to Silas and Charlie? What clues have I missed?  I promise that I have lost sleep over this novel, and I could probably discuss theories for days!

Parts of this story are seriously funny! I laughed out loud on many occasions, and I’m pretty sure I had a smile on my face the entire time I was reading Never Never. I found myself on a collision course with the last page of the novel. I devoured each page with gusto. It’s like Tarryn Fisher and Colleen Hoover wrote the perfect novel for me. They have me hoping for a fairytale outcome for Silas and Charlie. The sequel to Never Never has become my most anticipated novel for this year. Congratulations go out to Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher for this epic 6-star novel!

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About The Authors

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Colleen’s Bio

Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Slammed, Point of Retreat, This Girl, Hopeless, Losing Hope, Maybe Someday, Finding Cinderella, and Ugly Love. She lives in Texas with her husband and their three boys.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

 

Tarryn’s Bio

Tarryn Fisher is the New York Times bestselling author of Mud Vein. She was born in South Africa, and lived there for most of her childhood. She moved to Seattle just for the rain. She reads and writes more than she sleep. She spends way too much time on Facebook and Instagram and drinks sick amounts of Starbucks.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

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Signed Paperback Copy of Never Never

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