Taylor Fenner's Blog, page 164
August 25, 2016
"Book Mail" Thursday #2
This week in the mail I got the last three books in the amazing Awakened Fate series by Skye Malone. I love this series and I've been reviewing it for the past month. Here's a little info about each book...
Return (The Awakened Fate Series #3) by Skye Malone
Blurb:
For Chloe, the ocean was supposed to mean safety and for a time, it almost did. She overcame the Sylphaen's drugs. She discovered an unforeseen attraction to Zeke, one that he shares for her. A life underwater seemed possible, until she learned that nothing was as it appeared.After an unspeakable betrayal shattered everything she thought she knew about Zeke's world, she and Zeke have fled the ocean for the one place Chloe never expected to want to go.
Home.
But the challenge of living as a mermaid over a thousand miles from the ocean isn't the only problem facing her. Home has changed. Enemies are waiting, ones she never saw coming. Her little Kansas town is full of surprises.
Including Noah, the guy she left behind.
Arise (The Awakened Fate Series #4) by Skye Malone
Blurb:
Chloe hoped that going home would keep her enemies away from her. She thought she could trust her parents to protect her, no matter how much they feared mermaids and the ocean. It nearly cost her life to find out she was wrong.
Surviving a mad scientist and Noah's bloodthirsty relatives was only the beginning, however. An ancient creature is after her, one that's risen from its sleep to hunt her, and one that almost destroyed the world last time it awoke. To save herself and everyone she loves, Chloe's only chance lies in traveling to meet Ellie's mysterious teacher, Olivia, one of the elusive landwalker elders.
But Chloe has trusted people before. She's tried to escape the madness that's chasing her before. And nearly everybody who's learned her secret has ended up wanting to use her or kill her.
Will Olivia's betrayal be next?
Become (The Awakened Fate Series #5) by Skye Malone
Blurb:
After barely surviving another attack on her life, Chloe has only one option left. Magic given to her by the wizard Joseph offers her the chance to save the world from the ancient enemy she faces, but only if she sacrifices her ability to become a mermaid or else leaves the land behind forever. With no control over which side of her heritage she’ll become, Chloe may lose everything, including the two guys who both have claimed her heart.But when a desperate message arrives, the stakes become even higher. Zeke has been captured. The Sylphaen surround him. And if Chloe tries to save him, Zeke’s brother promises to make certain she dies.
She’s running out of options and she’s running out of time. Zeke’s life hangs on one side of the balance and the fate of the world is on the other. Chloe has to make a choice.
One that will change her life forever.
Why Should You Read This Series? This series is amazing, unique, and shows great imagination. I'm so grateful to have been given the opportunity to read this series and I'm unbelievably lucky to have found an author who's books I crave reading as much as I do with Skye's books. I love these books so much and I'm positive you will too! You can find the complete Awakened Fate Series on Amazon and all other major book retailers!
August 24, 2016
"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #37
This "WIR"-Wednesday I'm back in the world of Dehaians, Landwalkers, and Greliaran in Skye Malone's Awakened Fate Series...
Return (Awakened Fate Series #3) by Skye Malone
Blurb:
For Chloe, the ocean was supposed to mean safety and for a time, it almost did. She overcame the Sylphaen's drugs. She discovered an unforeseen attraction to Zeke, one that he shares for her. A life underwater seemed possible, until she learned that nothing was as it appeared.
After an unspeakable betrayal shattered everything she thought she knew about Zeke's world, she and Zeke have fled the ocean for the one place Chloe never expected to want to go.
Home.
But the challenge of living as a mermaid over a thousand miles from the ocean isn't the only problem facing her. Home has changed. Enemies are waiting, ones she never saw coming. Her little Kansas town is full of surprises.
Including Noah, the guy she left behind.
What I Think of This Book so far: I love this series and each book in the series brings another set of complications to Chloe's new normal so the storyline doesn't get stale. Yes, the Sylphaen are still after Chloe... but they're not the only enemy she faces. She's quickly learning that sometimes home sweet home isn't so sweet after all... I love the romance blooming between Zeke and Chloe, but what will happen once Noah is back in the picture? And will anyone ever tell Baylie what's going on?? I guess I'll have to keep reading ;)
While I was waiting for the last three books in the Awakened Fate Series to arrive in the mail I spent my time reading a completely different type of book...
Claiming Addison (69 Bottles #1) by Zoey Derrick
Blurb:
For Addison Beltrand, PR rep for Bold International, Inc. climbing the corporate ladder is all that matters in life. Her hard work is finally rewarded with the promotion she’s worked her ass off to earn—but the gig comes at a price. She leaves in two days for a twelve-week tour with America’s hottest alternative rock band, 69 Bottles.
Talon Carver, lead singer of 69 Bottles, has no problem with women--as long as they’re gone by morning. When Addison shakes up his world, it’s a huge problem—compounded by the fact that Addison’s not the only one he wants.
Kyle Black, manager of 69 Bottles, has a secret. He and Addison are closer than she thinks, but telling her could keep her away. When Talon sets his sights on Addison, Kyle uses his secret to push her into Talon’s arms, only to discover she isn’t the only one he needs.
Two men. One dilemma.
Talon is wild, reckless and loves control.
Kyle is calm, collected and loves passion.
The perfect balance…or Addison’s ultimate undoing?
Talon and Kyle push their boundaries and Addison’s, but can they throw their reservations to the wind and claim her together?
Two men. One woman. A rock band. A tour bus. One Wild Ride…
My Review: Twenty-nine-year-old Addison Beltrand has thrown herself into her work as a PR rep to musicians, pushing away everything else - including her friends - ever since the death of her fiance seven years ago.
Now just before she's set to take a weekend off to spend with the girls her boss promotes her to a special case she believes she will excel at. The catch? They need her on the bus for the start of a twelve-week tour the day before Addison's set vacation.
Addison agrees and within days she's on a bus with the band she and her friends were going to see. Meeting the band, 69 Bottles, she meets the flirty, cocky Dex, the colorful Peacock, and the high-pitched voiced Mouse but it's the lead singer, Talon, and the band manager Kyle, that awaken something inside Addison she's set aside for too long.
Addison wants them both, and they want her - and each other. But Kyle has a secret tie to Addison's past and Talon has never been with the same woman twice. But their sexual chemistry is scorching. It's going to be a wild twelve weeks on the road!
I am surprised by how much I loved this book. I didn't think I would like it because it's definitely not the type of book I usually read but this book grabbed me by the second chapter and I couldn't get enough. The characters are charismatic and you love getting to know them and watching their unusual relationship develop. The sex is hot even though the conversation between Talon and Kyle a couple times made me want to laugh.
There were only a couple things that prevented me from giving this book a 5: throughout the book there were a few typos like the word should be "me" and the author had "be" or "his" came out as "is" - just simple things the proofreader should have caught. I loved the storyline but I question how the relationship between Addison, Talon, and Kyle could work out long term. I mean eventually someone is going to get jealous or the relationship between three will become a relationship of two, right? They can't just be together forever as three, can they? That's not realistic. The only other thing I didn't like was the cover. The female model looks like a cartoon laid against the two guys - but that's minor and not story related.
Overall, this is a sexy rock star read and I loved it! I'm eager to see what's going to happen in book two!
***Disclaimer: this book is not at all intended for readers under 18, due to strong sexual content. If you are under 18 do not purchase this book!***
My rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars
Return (Awakened Fate Series #3) by Skye Malone
Blurb:
For Chloe, the ocean was supposed to mean safety and for a time, it almost did. She overcame the Sylphaen's drugs. She discovered an unforeseen attraction to Zeke, one that he shares for her. A life underwater seemed possible, until she learned that nothing was as it appeared.After an unspeakable betrayal shattered everything she thought she knew about Zeke's world, she and Zeke have fled the ocean for the one place Chloe never expected to want to go.
Home.
But the challenge of living as a mermaid over a thousand miles from the ocean isn't the only problem facing her. Home has changed. Enemies are waiting, ones she never saw coming. Her little Kansas town is full of surprises.
Including Noah, the guy she left behind.
What I Think of This Book so far: I love this series and each book in the series brings another set of complications to Chloe's new normal so the storyline doesn't get stale. Yes, the Sylphaen are still after Chloe... but they're not the only enemy she faces. She's quickly learning that sometimes home sweet home isn't so sweet after all... I love the romance blooming between Zeke and Chloe, but what will happen once Noah is back in the picture? And will anyone ever tell Baylie what's going on?? I guess I'll have to keep reading ;)
While I was waiting for the last three books in the Awakened Fate Series to arrive in the mail I spent my time reading a completely different type of book...
Claiming Addison (69 Bottles #1) by Zoey Derrick
Blurb:
For Addison Beltrand, PR rep for Bold International, Inc. climbing the corporate ladder is all that matters in life. Her hard work is finally rewarded with the promotion she’s worked her ass off to earn—but the gig comes at a price. She leaves in two days for a twelve-week tour with America’s hottest alternative rock band, 69 Bottles.Talon Carver, lead singer of 69 Bottles, has no problem with women--as long as they’re gone by morning. When Addison shakes up his world, it’s a huge problem—compounded by the fact that Addison’s not the only one he wants.
Kyle Black, manager of 69 Bottles, has a secret. He and Addison are closer than she thinks, but telling her could keep her away. When Talon sets his sights on Addison, Kyle uses his secret to push her into Talon’s arms, only to discover she isn’t the only one he needs.
Two men. One dilemma.
Talon is wild, reckless and loves control.
Kyle is calm, collected and loves passion.
The perfect balance…or Addison’s ultimate undoing?
Talon and Kyle push their boundaries and Addison’s, but can they throw their reservations to the wind and claim her together?
Two men. One woman. A rock band. A tour bus. One Wild Ride…
My Review: Twenty-nine-year-old Addison Beltrand has thrown herself into her work as a PR rep to musicians, pushing away everything else - including her friends - ever since the death of her fiance seven years ago.
Now just before she's set to take a weekend off to spend with the girls her boss promotes her to a special case she believes she will excel at. The catch? They need her on the bus for the start of a twelve-week tour the day before Addison's set vacation.
Addison agrees and within days she's on a bus with the band she and her friends were going to see. Meeting the band, 69 Bottles, she meets the flirty, cocky Dex, the colorful Peacock, and the high-pitched voiced Mouse but it's the lead singer, Talon, and the band manager Kyle, that awaken something inside Addison she's set aside for too long.
Addison wants them both, and they want her - and each other. But Kyle has a secret tie to Addison's past and Talon has never been with the same woman twice. But their sexual chemistry is scorching. It's going to be a wild twelve weeks on the road!
I am surprised by how much I loved this book. I didn't think I would like it because it's definitely not the type of book I usually read but this book grabbed me by the second chapter and I couldn't get enough. The characters are charismatic and you love getting to know them and watching their unusual relationship develop. The sex is hot even though the conversation between Talon and Kyle a couple times made me want to laugh.
There were only a couple things that prevented me from giving this book a 5: throughout the book there were a few typos like the word should be "me" and the author had "be" or "his" came out as "is" - just simple things the proofreader should have caught. I loved the storyline but I question how the relationship between Addison, Talon, and Kyle could work out long term. I mean eventually someone is going to get jealous or the relationship between three will become a relationship of two, right? They can't just be together forever as three, can they? That's not realistic. The only other thing I didn't like was the cover. The female model looks like a cartoon laid against the two guys - but that's minor and not story related.
Overall, this is a sexy rock star read and I loved it! I'm eager to see what's going to happen in book two!
***Disclaimer: this book is not at all intended for readers under 18, due to strong sexual content. If you are under 18 do not purchase this book!***
My rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars
August 23, 2016
Book Review: Under the Lights by Abbi Glines
Under the Lights by Abbi Glines
Blurb:
Willa can’t erase the bad decisions of her past that led her down the path she’s on now. But she can fight for forgiveness from her family. And she can protect herself by refusing to let anyone else get close to her.
High school quarterback and town golden boy Brady used to be the best of friends with Willa—she even had a crush on him when they were kids. But that’s all changed now: her life choices have made her a different person from the girl he used to know.
Gunner used to be friends with Willa and Brady, too. He too is larger than life and a high school football star—not to mention that his family basically owns the town of Lawton. He loves his life, and doesn’t care about anyone except himself. But Willa is the exception—and he understands the girl she’s become in a way no one else can.
As secrets come to light and hearts are broken, these former childhood friends must face the truth about growing up and falling in love…even if it means losing each other forever.
My Review: Under the Lights ripped me open and left me breathless!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When 17-year old Willa Ames is released from a juvenile correctional facility and finds her bags packed on her mother's doorstep she calls the only person she has left, her grandmother "Nonna" - the woman who raised her for most of her life.
Nonna agrees to take Willa in as long as she stays away from boys, stays out of trouble, and keeps up with school. Nobody believes Willa about what happened that awful night and Willa cannot forgive herself. Returning to small town Lawton, Alabama means returning to the two friends she left behind, Gunner Lawton, the boy who lives in the big house, and Brady Higgens, the sweet boy she had a crush on six years ago.
Just like Willa, Brady and Gunner have changed a lot over the past six years. Brady is casually dating a girl he doesn't really like and Gunner has been playing the field and swearing off love. When Willa blows into town everything changes.
As the boys try to figure out their complicated feelings for their childhood friend, Willa struggles to put her dark past behind her. Gunner has always been Willa's friend, her confidante and when she left Lawton six years ago to live with her mother she was just beginning to have feelings for Brady; but Willa sees herself as too damaged to be deserving of either boy.
Will Willa ever be able to put the nightmares of the past behind her and allow herself to heal? What will happen when a scandalous family secret shakes up Gunner's life, will he confide in Willa once again? Will Willa allow either of the boys in?
Under the Lights is a beautifully written novel about friendship, love, and forgiving yourself. This book ripped me open emotionally and left me breathless. Willa and Gunner's struggles were realistic and the reader will be rooting for them throughout the book. Willa, Brady, and Gunner were characters that were easy to fall in love with. This book is easily one of my favorite Abbi Glines books and it reminded me a little of the Vincent Boys books, especially with the dynamic between Brady and Gunner and Gunner and his family. What I really liked about Under the Lights was that, like Abbi Glines's other books in other series, you can read Under the Lights as a standalone novel as well as within the series. I really wanted to read Until Friday Night, the first book in the Field Party series, but I haven't been able to find it in my local bookstores and I haven't gotten around to getting it off Amazon yet so I was afraid I'd be missing something when I started Under the Lights. Thankfully Willa, Gunner, and Brady's story is complete within this novel and I wasn't missing anything important from the first book. You can read this novel without missing a beat which is a major perk of reading books by this author.
Under the Lights is a must-read page-turner that will keep you gripped until the last page. The only thing I didn't completely love was the placement of Gunner's view of six years ago. It might have been more natural at the beginning of the book, but then maybe it would have been too telling, I'm not sure.
My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Book Info:Under the Lights is available today, Tuesday, August 23, 2016, from Simon Pulse! You can buy it on Amazon in eBook and Hardcover!
Blurb:
Willa can’t erase the bad decisions of her past that led her down the path she’s on now. But she can fight for forgiveness from her family. And she can protect herself by refusing to let anyone else get close to her.High school quarterback and town golden boy Brady used to be the best of friends with Willa—she even had a crush on him when they were kids. But that’s all changed now: her life choices have made her a different person from the girl he used to know.
Gunner used to be friends with Willa and Brady, too. He too is larger than life and a high school football star—not to mention that his family basically owns the town of Lawton. He loves his life, and doesn’t care about anyone except himself. But Willa is the exception—and he understands the girl she’s become in a way no one else can.
As secrets come to light and hearts are broken, these former childhood friends must face the truth about growing up and falling in love…even if it means losing each other forever.
My Review: Under the Lights ripped me open and left me breathless!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When 17-year old Willa Ames is released from a juvenile correctional facility and finds her bags packed on her mother's doorstep she calls the only person she has left, her grandmother "Nonna" - the woman who raised her for most of her life.
Nonna agrees to take Willa in as long as she stays away from boys, stays out of trouble, and keeps up with school. Nobody believes Willa about what happened that awful night and Willa cannot forgive herself. Returning to small town Lawton, Alabama means returning to the two friends she left behind, Gunner Lawton, the boy who lives in the big house, and Brady Higgens, the sweet boy she had a crush on six years ago.
Just like Willa, Brady and Gunner have changed a lot over the past six years. Brady is casually dating a girl he doesn't really like and Gunner has been playing the field and swearing off love. When Willa blows into town everything changes.
As the boys try to figure out their complicated feelings for their childhood friend, Willa struggles to put her dark past behind her. Gunner has always been Willa's friend, her confidante and when she left Lawton six years ago to live with her mother she was just beginning to have feelings for Brady; but Willa sees herself as too damaged to be deserving of either boy.
Will Willa ever be able to put the nightmares of the past behind her and allow herself to heal? What will happen when a scandalous family secret shakes up Gunner's life, will he confide in Willa once again? Will Willa allow either of the boys in?
Under the Lights is a beautifully written novel about friendship, love, and forgiving yourself. This book ripped me open emotionally and left me breathless. Willa and Gunner's struggles were realistic and the reader will be rooting for them throughout the book. Willa, Brady, and Gunner were characters that were easy to fall in love with. This book is easily one of my favorite Abbi Glines books and it reminded me a little of the Vincent Boys books, especially with the dynamic between Brady and Gunner and Gunner and his family. What I really liked about Under the Lights was that, like Abbi Glines's other books in other series, you can read Under the Lights as a standalone novel as well as within the series. I really wanted to read Until Friday Night, the first book in the Field Party series, but I haven't been able to find it in my local bookstores and I haven't gotten around to getting it off Amazon yet so I was afraid I'd be missing something when I started Under the Lights. Thankfully Willa, Gunner, and Brady's story is complete within this novel and I wasn't missing anything important from the first book. You can read this novel without missing a beat which is a major perk of reading books by this author.
Under the Lights is a must-read page-turner that will keep you gripped until the last page. The only thing I didn't completely love was the placement of Gunner's view of six years ago. It might have been more natural at the beginning of the book, but then maybe it would have been too telling, I'm not sure.
My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Book Info:Under the Lights is available today, Tuesday, August 23, 2016, from Simon Pulse! You can buy it on Amazon in eBook and Hardcover!
August 22, 2016
Book Review: I'll Be Here by Yesenia Vargas
I'll Be Here (Matters of the Heart #2) by Yesenia Vargas
Blurb:Katia hates love triangles. And now she’s in the middle of one…
Just when Katia thinks she might be getting over Brian moving away again, he reappears in her life. And as if that wasn’t enough, her best friend, Adam, is also back for senior year.
Adam is determined to show Katia that, unlike Brian, he’ll never let her down. But Brian won’t give up on Katia that easily. He regrets more than ever having left, and now he’s determined to win Katia’s heart back.
Katia is torn between two good guys who have been there for her in the past, and she’s not sure what she feels for either of them anymore.
My Review:I received a copy of I'll Be Here in exchange for an honest review.
Katia's life is just starting to get back to normal after Brian left with his family to go back to Mexico. Adam is back in school and she's trying to get back her friendship with him. Then Brian returns... again.
Both guys make it clear that they want to be with her and Katia finds herself in the middle of her worst nightmare... a love triangle. How is a girl supposed to figure things out while juggling school, SATs, and college decisions all at the same time?
Can Katia trust Brian again? Or will he end up breaking her heart and leaving again? Is it possible for Katia to feel more than just friendship for Adam? Or will she dash his hopes and hurt him and break their brittle friendship - possibly forever this time?
I wasn't sure what to expect from I'll Be Here but I have mixed emotions about it. Katia spends like the first chapter and a half of the book whining about how much she misses/loves Brian but then when he shows up she doesn't want anything to do with him. Then she spends the rest of the book being kind of wishy-washy and complaining about both guys liking her but at the same time a whole school year passes before she can make a decision. If Katia were a real person instead of a fictional character she seems like the type of girl guys get annoyed with for never just saying what they want.
This played a major factor in me disliking the first half to three-quarters of this book. The end redeemed the story and I'm satisfied with how Katia's story wraps up but it was touch and go there for me for a while.
Overall, I liked this book but because of the way the heroine of the story acted I didn't love it. I do recommend reading this book if you read book one and want to see how things wrap up.
My rating: 3.75 of 5 Stars
Get I'll Be Here for the Special Launch Price of 99¢ on Amazon this week only!
Blurb:Katia hates love triangles. And now she’s in the middle of one… Just when Katia thinks she might be getting over Brian moving away again, he reappears in her life. And as if that wasn’t enough, her best friend, Adam, is also back for senior year.
Adam is determined to show Katia that, unlike Brian, he’ll never let her down. But Brian won’t give up on Katia that easily. He regrets more than ever having left, and now he’s determined to win Katia’s heart back.
Katia is torn between two good guys who have been there for her in the past, and she’s not sure what she feels for either of them anymore.
My Review:I received a copy of I'll Be Here in exchange for an honest review.
Katia's life is just starting to get back to normal after Brian left with his family to go back to Mexico. Adam is back in school and she's trying to get back her friendship with him. Then Brian returns... again.
Both guys make it clear that they want to be with her and Katia finds herself in the middle of her worst nightmare... a love triangle. How is a girl supposed to figure things out while juggling school, SATs, and college decisions all at the same time?
Can Katia trust Brian again? Or will he end up breaking her heart and leaving again? Is it possible for Katia to feel more than just friendship for Adam? Or will she dash his hopes and hurt him and break their brittle friendship - possibly forever this time?
I wasn't sure what to expect from I'll Be Here but I have mixed emotions about it. Katia spends like the first chapter and a half of the book whining about how much she misses/loves Brian but then when he shows up she doesn't want anything to do with him. Then she spends the rest of the book being kind of wishy-washy and complaining about both guys liking her but at the same time a whole school year passes before she can make a decision. If Katia were a real person instead of a fictional character she seems like the type of girl guys get annoyed with for never just saying what they want.
This played a major factor in me disliking the first half to three-quarters of this book. The end redeemed the story and I'm satisfied with how Katia's story wraps up but it was touch and go there for me for a while.
Overall, I liked this book but because of the way the heroine of the story acted I didn't love it. I do recommend reading this book if you read book one and want to see how things wrap up.
My rating: 3.75 of 5 Stars
Get I'll Be Here for the Special Launch Price of 99¢ on Amazon this week only!
August 19, 2016
Marquette, Michigan: A Walking Tour Inside Out of Darkness
A couple weeks ago I took a short trip to the setting of Out of Darkness, Marquette, Michigan. Marquette, Michigan is the most populated city in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and the home of NMU (Northern Michigan University). On my trip, I meant to take pictures of the beautiful scenery as well as a few places mentioned in Out of Darkness to give readers a visual of Lizette's world.
HOTplate Paint-Your-Own-Pottery 153 W. Washington St.Marquette, MichiganA paint your own pottery studio. OUT OF DARKNESS Reference: Keiran Madigan works at HOTplate firing pottery after it has been painted.
Babycakes Muffin Company 223 W Washington St Marquette, MichiganA coffee and muffin shop.OUT OF DARKNESS Reference: Thierry Sebastian works at Babycakes, which in OUT OF DARKNESS sells cupcakes instead of muffins.
Holy Cross Orphanage 600 Altamont St. Marquette, MichiganAn abandoned orphanage that sits on a hill overlooking U.S. 41. Sadly this awesomely creepy looking building is in the process of being demolished. :(OUT OF DARKNESS Reference: In OUT OF DARKNESS this building is combined with the D.J. Jacobetti Veteran's Home next door and used as the secret hangout spot of Lizette and her friends.
Miner's Castle and Lover's Leap, The Pictured Rocks The Pictured RocksMunising, MichiganI didn't make it to the pictured rocks this trip, so I found these on their website: http://www.picturedrocks.com/ OUT OF DARKNESS Reference: Lizette and Thierry go on a date to Munising and drive out to Miner's Castle. Lover's Leap is also mentioned in OUT OF DARKNESS. Local legend has is that a couple displayed their love for each other by jumping off the top of the rock arch below together.
Sadly the Weatherly house in the woods is just a figment of my imagination. But I think it would look a little like this (but enclosed with more trees)...
Other Beautiful Spots Not Mentioned in OUT OF DARKNESS (but may show up in one of the other books in the Eternals Trilogy)
Presque Isle Park, Marquette, Michigan
Presque Isle Park, Marquette, Michigan
Mattson Lower Harbor Park, Marquette, Michigan
Mattson Lower Harbor Park, Marquette, Michigan
PS. I found the Loch Ness Monster... and it's not in Scotland!
Be sure to get your copy of OUT OF DARKNESS before the second book in the ETERNALS TRILOGY, INTO THE LIGHT, hits bookshelves this December!
Available in eBook, Paperback, and Hardcover!Kindle US: http://amzn.com/B01BGDETG0Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01BGDETG0Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/out-of-darkness-taylor-fenner/1123382993?ean=2940152610543Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/OutOfDSmashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/612853iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/out-of-darkness/id1082039074?mt=11Amazon Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1523900334Createspace Paperback: https://www.createspace.com/5985720Lulu Hardcover: http://www.lulu.com/shop/taylor-fenner/out-of-darkness/hardcover/product-22635242.html
HOTplate Paint-Your-Own-Pottery 153 W. Washington St.Marquette, MichiganA paint your own pottery studio. OUT OF DARKNESS Reference: Keiran Madigan works at HOTplate firing pottery after it has been painted.
Babycakes Muffin Company 223 W Washington St Marquette, MichiganA coffee and muffin shop.OUT OF DARKNESS Reference: Thierry Sebastian works at Babycakes, which in OUT OF DARKNESS sells cupcakes instead of muffins.
Holy Cross Orphanage 600 Altamont St. Marquette, MichiganAn abandoned orphanage that sits on a hill overlooking U.S. 41. Sadly this awesomely creepy looking building is in the process of being demolished. :(OUT OF DARKNESS Reference: In OUT OF DARKNESS this building is combined with the D.J. Jacobetti Veteran's Home next door and used as the secret hangout spot of Lizette and her friends.
Miner's Castle and Lover's Leap, The Pictured Rocks The Pictured RocksMunising, MichiganI didn't make it to the pictured rocks this trip, so I found these on their website: http://www.picturedrocks.com/ OUT OF DARKNESS Reference: Lizette and Thierry go on a date to Munising and drive out to Miner's Castle. Lover's Leap is also mentioned in OUT OF DARKNESS. Local legend has is that a couple displayed their love for each other by jumping off the top of the rock arch below together.
Sadly the Weatherly house in the woods is just a figment of my imagination. But I think it would look a little like this (but enclosed with more trees)...
Other Beautiful Spots Not Mentioned in OUT OF DARKNESS (but may show up in one of the other books in the Eternals Trilogy)
Presque Isle Park, Marquette, Michigan
Presque Isle Park, Marquette, Michigan
Mattson Lower Harbor Park, Marquette, Michigan
Mattson Lower Harbor Park, Marquette, Michigan
PS. I found the Loch Ness Monster... and it's not in Scotland!
Be sure to get your copy of OUT OF DARKNESS before the second book in the ETERNALS TRILOGY, INTO THE LIGHT, hits bookshelves this December!
Available in eBook, Paperback, and Hardcover!Kindle US: http://amzn.com/B01BGDETG0Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01BGDETG0Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/out-of-darkness-taylor-fenner/1123382993?ean=2940152610543Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/OutOfDSmashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/612853iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/out-of-darkness/id1082039074?mt=11Amazon Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1523900334Createspace Paperback: https://www.createspace.com/5985720Lulu Hardcover: http://www.lulu.com/shop/taylor-fenner/out-of-darkness/hardcover/product-22635242.html
August 18, 2016
"Book Mail" Thursday #1
I love getting book mail... almost as much as I love having a book in my hand right away with no wait time. This Thursday my book mail is...
Wake The Hollow by Gaby Triana
Blurb:
Forget the ghosts, Mica. It’s real, live people you should fear.
Tragedy has brought Micaela Burgos back to her hometown of Sleepy Hollow. It’s been six years since she chose to live with her father in Miami instead of her eccentric mother. And now her mother is dead.
This town will suck you in and not let go.
Sleepy Hollow may be famous for its fabled headless horseman, but the town is real. So are its prejudices and hatred, targeting Mica’s family as outsiders. But ghostly voices carry on the wind, whispering that her mother’s death was based on hate…not an accident at all. With the help of two very different guys—who pull at her heart in very different ways—Micaela must awaken the hidden secret of Sleepy Hollow…before she meets her mother’s fate.
Find the answers.
Unless, of course, the answers find you first.
Why I Was Drawn To This Book:
I first heard about this book in a newsletter from the publisher, Entangled Teen, and I liked the blurb. I love The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and books set in Sleepy Hollow so I'm hoping I like this book a lot. I have read a book by this author before, Cubanita, and I remember liking the book despite reading it years ago; so I'm really looking forward to reading Wake The Hollow.
Wake The Hollow by Gaby Triana
Blurb:
Forget the ghosts, Mica. It’s real, live people you should fear.Tragedy has brought Micaela Burgos back to her hometown of Sleepy Hollow. It’s been six years since she chose to live with her father in Miami instead of her eccentric mother. And now her mother is dead.
This town will suck you in and not let go.
Sleepy Hollow may be famous for its fabled headless horseman, but the town is real. So are its prejudices and hatred, targeting Mica’s family as outsiders. But ghostly voices carry on the wind, whispering that her mother’s death was based on hate…not an accident at all. With the help of two very different guys—who pull at her heart in very different ways—Micaela must awaken the hidden secret of Sleepy Hollow…before she meets her mother’s fate.
Find the answers.
Unless, of course, the answers find you first.
Why I Was Drawn To This Book:
I first heard about this book in a newsletter from the publisher, Entangled Teen, and I liked the blurb. I love The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and books set in Sleepy Hollow so I'm hoping I like this book a lot. I have read a book by this author before, Cubanita, and I remember liking the book despite reading it years ago; so I'm really looking forward to reading Wake The Hollow.
August 17, 2016
"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #36
This "WIR" Wednesday I'm reading an ARC of a book coming out next week...
I'll Be Here (Matters of The Heart #2) by Yesenia Vargas
Blurb:
Katia hates love triangles. And now she’s in the middle of one…
Just when Katia thinks she might be getting over Brian moving away again, he reappears in her life. And as if that wasn’t enough, Adam is also back for senior year.
Adam is determined to show Katia that, unlike Brian, he’ll never let her down. But Brian won’t give up on Katia that easily. He regrets more than ever having left, and now he’s determined to win Katia’s heart back.
Katia is torn between two good guys who have been there for her in the past, and she’s not sure what she feels for either of them anymore.
Why I Chose This Book / What I Think So Far: After reading the beginning of Katia and Bryan's story in When You Came Back I'm eager to see how their story ends in I'll Be Here. I'm just starting the book so I can't give you too deep of an opinion of what I think of this book but it is easy to dive right into after reading book one. And unlike Katia, I love "love triangles"!
I'll Be Here (Matters of The Heart #2) by Yesenia Vargas
Blurb:
Katia hates love triangles. And now she’s in the middle of one…Just when Katia thinks she might be getting over Brian moving away again, he reappears in her life. And as if that wasn’t enough, Adam is also back for senior year.
Adam is determined to show Katia that, unlike Brian, he’ll never let her down. But Brian won’t give up on Katia that easily. He regrets more than ever having left, and now he’s determined to win Katia’s heart back.
Katia is torn between two good guys who have been there for her in the past, and she’s not sure what she feels for either of them anymore.
Why I Chose This Book / What I Think So Far: After reading the beginning of Katia and Bryan's story in When You Came Back I'm eager to see how their story ends in I'll Be Here. I'm just starting the book so I can't give you too deep of an opinion of what I think of this book but it is easy to dive right into after reading book one. And unlike Katia, I love "love triangles"!
August 16, 2016
Book Review: The Selection (Selection #1) by Kiera Cass
The Selection (The Selection #1) by Kiera Cass
Blurb:
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape a rigid caste system, live in a palace, and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her, and competing for a crown she doesn’t want.
Then America meets Prince Maxon—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.
My Review: When Prince Maxon of Illea is ready to find a wife girls country-wide are encouraged to enter "The Selection", a competition that's like a mash-up of The Bachelor and The Hunger Games (minus the whole death part).
America Singer, a five on the scale of Illea's caste system where the lower your number is, the more privileged and easy your life is, wants nothing to do with The Selection. To her, Maxon seems stuck up and shallow. Besides, for the past two years she's been secretly dating Aspen, a six - the servant caste one peg lower than America's 'artists and musicians' caste. But America's parents would never approve the match because sixes are even poorer than fives and starvation is a reality sixes face on a near daily basis.
When Aspen tells America he wants her to enter The Selection because he'd never forgive himself if she had a chance for a better life, America reluctantly agrees while believing there's no chance that she would ever be picked.
Nobody is more shocked than America when her name is announced as one of The Selected. Suddenly America is pulled into a new world full of things she never could have imagined could be hers. She's whisked away to the palace in Angeles where she meets her fellow contestants and has her first taste of privileged life. When she meets Prince Maxon she realizes that her preconceived opinion couldn't be more wrong - but can she forget about the boy she loves back home? The one who broke her heart and she's not sure still loves her at all?
Will America remain in The Selection? Or will the sudden reappearance of the boy she thought she'd lost make her abandon the friendship - and more- that's forming between her and Prince Maxon?
I was very surprised to find that I loved this book as much as I did. Dystopian novels aren't really something I like but the Bachelor-esqe competition almost made me forget the dystopian theme altogether. From the moment America meets Maxon I was hoping that he would win her over and she would forget all about Aspen. There's enough girl-drama between the characters to please anyone who likes watching reality dating competitions and America's first taste of palace life and all of the new experiences she encounters - even with the underlying sense of danger - kept me turning pages late into the night.
I loved Marlee as well as America's maids, Anne, Mary, and Lucy and I can't wait to see more of them in The Elite (The Selection #2). I'm dying to know if America and Marlee's friendship will continue or if some obstacle will tear them apart. Coming into this series late in the game after Maxon and America's story concludes I sort of already know how this Selection will wrap up but I'm eager to follow the journey all the way through.
The only thing I didn't like so much about this novel is that, like many other novels, we find a character that everyone else thinks is beautiful but America doesn't see herself as anything other than plain. I understand that America's humbleness is part of what Maxon likes about her but the whole beautiful-girl-doesn't-know-she's-beautiful plot has been done over and over again in YA novels.
Overall I loved this book so much and I recommend it to anyone who: likes dystopian romance novels, loves watching reality dating competions like The Bachelor, or anyone looking for a great cross between a fairytale love story and danger-filled dystopian novel.
My Rating 5 of 5 Stars
Blurb:
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape a rigid caste system, live in a palace, and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her, and competing for a crown she doesn’t want.Then America meets Prince Maxon—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.
My Review: When Prince Maxon of Illea is ready to find a wife girls country-wide are encouraged to enter "The Selection", a competition that's like a mash-up of The Bachelor and The Hunger Games (minus the whole death part).
America Singer, a five on the scale of Illea's caste system where the lower your number is, the more privileged and easy your life is, wants nothing to do with The Selection. To her, Maxon seems stuck up and shallow. Besides, for the past two years she's been secretly dating Aspen, a six - the servant caste one peg lower than America's 'artists and musicians' caste. But America's parents would never approve the match because sixes are even poorer than fives and starvation is a reality sixes face on a near daily basis.
When Aspen tells America he wants her to enter The Selection because he'd never forgive himself if she had a chance for a better life, America reluctantly agrees while believing there's no chance that she would ever be picked.
Nobody is more shocked than America when her name is announced as one of The Selected. Suddenly America is pulled into a new world full of things she never could have imagined could be hers. She's whisked away to the palace in Angeles where she meets her fellow contestants and has her first taste of privileged life. When she meets Prince Maxon she realizes that her preconceived opinion couldn't be more wrong - but can she forget about the boy she loves back home? The one who broke her heart and she's not sure still loves her at all?
Will America remain in The Selection? Or will the sudden reappearance of the boy she thought she'd lost make her abandon the friendship - and more- that's forming between her and Prince Maxon?
I was very surprised to find that I loved this book as much as I did. Dystopian novels aren't really something I like but the Bachelor-esqe competition almost made me forget the dystopian theme altogether. From the moment America meets Maxon I was hoping that he would win her over and she would forget all about Aspen. There's enough girl-drama between the characters to please anyone who likes watching reality dating competitions and America's first taste of palace life and all of the new experiences she encounters - even with the underlying sense of danger - kept me turning pages late into the night.
I loved Marlee as well as America's maids, Anne, Mary, and Lucy and I can't wait to see more of them in The Elite (The Selection #2). I'm dying to know if America and Marlee's friendship will continue or if some obstacle will tear them apart. Coming into this series late in the game after Maxon and America's story concludes I sort of already know how this Selection will wrap up but I'm eager to follow the journey all the way through.
The only thing I didn't like so much about this novel is that, like many other novels, we find a character that everyone else thinks is beautiful but America doesn't see herself as anything other than plain. I understand that America's humbleness is part of what Maxon likes about her but the whole beautiful-girl-doesn't-know-she's-beautiful plot has been done over and over again in YA novels.
Overall I loved this book so much and I recommend it to anyone who: likes dystopian romance novels, loves watching reality dating competions like The Bachelor, or anyone looking for a great cross between a fairytale love story and danger-filled dystopian novel.
My Rating 5 of 5 Stars
August 14, 2016
YA Subgenres & How to Tell Them Apart
These days it's not just teenagers reading YA novels - but don't be fooled - there's more to the YA (Young Adult) Section of your local bookstore or online book retailer than just one single genre of books. YA books come in lots of different subgenres and it's up to you to experiment and see what subgenres you like. Here are some of the subgenres that are hot now, or have been hot in the past few years.
Paranormal Romance
Paranormal Romance started out being really big around the time of the Twilight series and has since grown into a really popular genre in YA fiction. Paranormal Romance themes can include much more than ghosts, encompassing a broad spectrum of stories featuring romantic stories ranging from vampires to werewolves to witches and more.
Over the past few years, the popularity of Paranormal Romance has shifted to...
Fantasy I used to think was like Sci-Fi or Dystopian novels so I stayed away from Fantasy novels as a whole. A few months ago that changed as I realized there were different kinds of fantasy novels and it was all about finding which kinds suited me. The two main kinds of Fantasy novels I read are:
Urban Fantasy
Very similar to the Paranormal genre these books usually include some kind of magical creature or creatures in a modern realistic setting.
High Fantasy
High Fantasy is closer to Sci-Fi in that the setting is usually an imaginary land (usually with an unpronounceable name) and can be influenced in part by fairytales or be loosely based on medieval Europe (at least this is how I sort it out in my mind).
Moving on from Fantasy we get the three types of Young Adult novels I don't read regularly due to personal preference...
Sci-Fi
Think Aliens and Space. Yes, there are other offshoots and sub-subgenres of science fiction (sci-fi) but true science fiction usually involves a space theme or alien/unearthly beings.
Dystopian Dystopian novels are usually set in a distorted version of our world in which some great event has caused a massive change - and not for the good. YA dystopian novels usually follow a hero/heroine as they struggle against a harsh, rigid, unfair society. Will the hero/herione of these novels overthrow the leaders of the society and show everyone how wrong they've been living? I'll read some dystopian novels but I personally don't favor them because we live in a depressing enough world without reading books that show even more depressing societies.
Post-Apocalyptic Similar to Dystopian novels (or at least I get them mixed up often) are Post-Apocalyptic novels. A great catastrophe like the apocalypse has occurred and these books are all about how society acts and rebuilds after such an event.
Contemporary Moving away from magic, fantasy, and sci-fi, Contemporary YA novels are all about relating to real teens with real life situations and struggles. No witches, vampires, or aliens here.. but you might find a nasty cheerleader or two.
Last but not least of the major subgenres is...
Horror YA Horror is the answer for all those who love anything scary. Bring on the psycho killers and twisted teens. Will anyone make it to prom night alive? Be warned though: like any good horror novel, these books can get gory. Read at your own risk.
So which YA subgenres do you like best? Do you love all things paranormal or do you wish in a fantasy land. Do you crave a good scare or do you wish to be a game-changer in a dystopian or post-apocalyptic society? Or do you just like to be contemporary?
Paranormal Romance
Paranormal Romance started out being really big around the time of the Twilight series and has since grown into a really popular genre in YA fiction. Paranormal Romance themes can include much more than ghosts, encompassing a broad spectrum of stories featuring romantic stories ranging from vampires to werewolves to witches and more.
Over the past few years, the popularity of Paranormal Romance has shifted to...
Fantasy I used to think was like Sci-Fi or Dystopian novels so I stayed away from Fantasy novels as a whole. A few months ago that changed as I realized there were different kinds of fantasy novels and it was all about finding which kinds suited me. The two main kinds of Fantasy novels I read are:
Urban Fantasy
Very similar to the Paranormal genre these books usually include some kind of magical creature or creatures in a modern realistic setting.
High Fantasy
High Fantasy is closer to Sci-Fi in that the setting is usually an imaginary land (usually with an unpronounceable name) and can be influenced in part by fairytales or be loosely based on medieval Europe (at least this is how I sort it out in my mind).
Moving on from Fantasy we get the three types of Young Adult novels I don't read regularly due to personal preference...
Sci-Fi
Think Aliens and Space. Yes, there are other offshoots and sub-subgenres of science fiction (sci-fi) but true science fiction usually involves a space theme or alien/unearthly beings.
Dystopian Dystopian novels are usually set in a distorted version of our world in which some great event has caused a massive change - and not for the good. YA dystopian novels usually follow a hero/heroine as they struggle against a harsh, rigid, unfair society. Will the hero/herione of these novels overthrow the leaders of the society and show everyone how wrong they've been living? I'll read some dystopian novels but I personally don't favor them because we live in a depressing enough world without reading books that show even more depressing societies.
Post-Apocalyptic Similar to Dystopian novels (or at least I get them mixed up often) are Post-Apocalyptic novels. A great catastrophe like the apocalypse has occurred and these books are all about how society acts and rebuilds after such an event.
Contemporary Moving away from magic, fantasy, and sci-fi, Contemporary YA novels are all about relating to real teens with real life situations and struggles. No witches, vampires, or aliens here.. but you might find a nasty cheerleader or two.
Last but not least of the major subgenres is...
Horror YA Horror is the answer for all those who love anything scary. Bring on the psycho killers and twisted teens. Will anyone make it to prom night alive? Be warned though: like any good horror novel, these books can get gory. Read at your own risk.
So which YA subgenres do you like best? Do you love all things paranormal or do you wish in a fantasy land. Do you crave a good scare or do you wish to be a game-changer in a dystopian or post-apocalyptic society? Or do you just like to be contemporary?
August 10, 2016
"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #35
After breezing through Descend, book two of the really fantastic Awakened Fates Series earlier this week now I'm starting a new book and a new series I've heard great things about...
The Selection by Kiera Cass
Blurb:
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape a rigid caste system, live in a palace, and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her, and competing for a crown she doesn’t want.
Then America meets Prince Maxon—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.
Why I Chose This Book / What I Think So Far: Like I said, I've heard great things about this series. Everyone I've talked to seems to love it so I thought I would give it a try. Dystopian-set novels aren't usually my thing but Amazon says that people who liked books like the Divergent books will enjoy this and since I did like that book (until Hollywood got involved and screwed it up by making a movie, not to mention the author completely ruined everything in book three...) I'm hoping I will enjoy The Selection. So far I'm only a few pages in but it's not putting me to sleep so I'll take that as a good sign. On the other hand... a world without Halloween? The best holiday of the whole year? I would never survive in this world. :/
The Selection by Kiera Cass
Blurb:
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape a rigid caste system, live in a palace, and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her, and competing for a crown she doesn’t want.Then America meets Prince Maxon—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.
Why I Chose This Book / What I Think So Far: Like I said, I've heard great things about this series. Everyone I've talked to seems to love it so I thought I would give it a try. Dystopian-set novels aren't usually my thing but Amazon says that people who liked books like the Divergent books will enjoy this and since I did like that book (until Hollywood got involved and screwed it up by making a movie, not to mention the author completely ruined everything in book three...) I'm hoping I will enjoy The Selection. So far I'm only a few pages in but it's not putting me to sleep so I'll take that as a good sign. On the other hand... a world without Halloween? The best holiday of the whole year? I would never survive in this world. :/
