Weekly Update #233, The busyness never ends...


Welcome to my Weekly Update where I post my blog's schedule for the week!

I'm linking up to The Sunday Post, hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book ReviewerTynga's Reviews for Stacking the Shelves and Mailbox Monday showcasing the books I added to my shelves or Kindle this week, and It's Monday! What Are You Reading? hosted by Kathryn @ Book Date.

This past week ended up being so busy! Just lots of different things going on and trying to stay on top of everything. I am really enjoying the books on my list coming up for review, which is always fabulous. I wish I had more time to read... hopefully this week. Either way, there will be some great reviews coming up!


Here's what to expect this week:

Win a $10 Amazon eGift Card! (Monthly #Giveaway)


This month I'm going back to an Amazon eGift Card for $10 USD. It's something everyone can use and can be sent internationally.


Open to international entrants if you can use an Amazon branch. Must be at least 13 years old to enter and have parental permission if under 18. Please ensure that you correctly enter your email (and check your junk mail folder if I'm not on your contact list) so that I have a way to contact you. You can read my giveaway policy on my policies page. Void where prohibited by law. Enter via the Rafflecopter below.

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Good luck!

Happily Ever Afters by Rachel Magee (Tour Grand Finale & #Giveaway)

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Book Tour Grand Finale for
Happily Ever Afters
By Rachel Magee

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:



Launch - Author Interview

1. What is your motivation behind HAPPILY EVER AFTERS?

I actually came up with the idea for Happily Ever Afters while I was on a girls’ trip. Several of my friends at the time weren’t married and there were a few handsome bachelors at the resort. I started wondering what would happen if two people who didn’t live anywhere near each other fell in love.

It's All About the Romance - Why You Need to Go on Vacation – Or Read a Book – Or Both

Who loves vacation? Me too! It doesn’t matter if it’s a weekend getaway to a town nearby or a longer trip to someplace a bit farther, I love them all. My passion for travel worked its way into my book HAPPILY EVER AFTERS, which is about a couple who meet while on vacation. The rest of their story involves meeting up at the different destination weddings of each of their best friends and visiting each other in their home cities. . . .


“Excuse me.” The deep voice came from above me.

I cracked one eye enough to see a man standing there. He motioned to the large storage bin holding all the passengers’ bags stowed under the bench where I was sitting. Shifting out of his way, I didn’t let the interruption distract me from enjoying the tranquility of the sail.



“Nice to meet you, Lainey.” He flashed a charming smile and settled against the rail. My heart skipped a beat. “What brings you to Puerto Rico?” He casually folded his arms in front of his toned chest.

“We’re celebrating my birthday.”

“Happy birthday.” The cheerful sincerity of his voice coaxed my fake smile into a genuine one.


Paulette's Papers - Character Interview with Lainey on Location in Dallas

Hi y’all. Today we are in Dallas, Texas chatting with the heroine from Happily Ever Afters, Lainey Stratton.

Hi Lainey. Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi! I’m an internal medicine doctor. I finished my residency last year and am working at a hospital in Dallas. I like sports, especially hockey, and I love spending time with my friends.


"It's more than just a sweet romance, it's a journey filled with emotion and growth. . . . The last part of the book is filled with emotion that yanked my poor heart out. I was fully invested in the lives of these characters. Their journey wasn't easy, but it was satisfying. I loved my time spent with this book. I'll be watching for more from Rachel Magee!"

The Bookworm Chronicles - 5 Reasons to Get Swept Away with Vermont

The second destination wedding takes place at a bed and breakfast in Vermont. For this wedding, I wanted a location with a charming fairy tale like setting that would be the perfect place for our couple to meet up again. And what’s sweeter than maple syrup from Vermont?


"Magee is a new-to-me author and I was blown away from the powerful impact of the emotion that I felt throughout, and not just because of the jabs to my heart. The romance was palpable; the friendships were strong; the joys were high and the sorrows were low. This is one author worth watching out for!"


"Overall it was a cute story, much like a traditional romance. It was a clean read – although the characters were drinking, and some people may be bothered by that. Having never read something by this author before, I was unsure what to expect, but I found that I enjoyed it and will check out other books she has!"

Book Lover in Florida - Character Interview with Carter

Today we are talking with Carter Thompson, hero of Happily Ever Afters. Hi, Carter!

Hi. No one’s ever called me a hero before. I’m flattered. And searching for my cape.

Tell us about yourself.

Like you said, I’m Carter Thompson. My official title is long, but it means that I’m an economist for the State Department. I’m 34 and I live right here in Washington, D.C.


"A fast reading book, even though some of the first parts were slow the story kept me interested from start to finish. About finding love, recovering from lost loves."

Wishful Endings - Excerpt

“Then I definitely think we should try them,” I whispered back. “Any idea what’s in it?”

He shrugged. “Nope. But tonight, I’m feeling daring. How about you?”

Daring was not a way I often felt. I preferred to make decisions based on fact and scientific reason. But for some reason, on this picturesque street with this handsome semi-stranger, daring sounded like a great idea.



"Happily Ever Afters was aptly named. It was a adorably sweet romance with a happily ever after ending. It was not a fairy tale retelling, but it definitely had a fairy tale ending. I love books like this one. Lainey had definite struggles to overcome in her life and relationships. As mentioned in the synopsis, she faced a tragedy that rocked her world. And the pain in her past kept her from trusting easily. Both problems were genuine and well-addressed."

Bookworm Lisa - Review

"The road that the characters travel is a hard one. There is tragedy, loss, and pasts to deal with. Carter is a strong support for Lainey. You really can't help but like him from the moment he is introduced. In many ways he becomes her rock. . . . The book is well written, full of emotion (good and bad). I look forward to reading more from Rachel Magee."

Heidi Reads... - Review

"The twist midway through the plot is what brought out the emotion and connection for me. Seeing Carter be there for her and support her through such a hard time was great, and I thought the author did an authentic job of portraying Lainey's grief and overwhelming emotions. Of course some external conflicts also arose that had to be overcome, and I was swiftly turning pages until I found Lainey's perfectly sweet happily ever after."

Remembrancy - Review

"This book. Wow. The first third was fun. A vacation in San Juan, good friends, adventure with a gorgeous guy and meeting new friends. It set me up for a fun romp. . . . And then Pow! Now I’m crying, grieving along with Lainey at her loss, her loneliness, her heartbreak. . . . Rachel Magee’s debut novel is moving but, more importantly, it reminds us of the power of falling in love."

Jorie Loves A Story - Author Interview

When you were pitching Happily Ever Afters - how did you decide to focus on an Indie Publisher and what motivated you to seek out Clean Reads? What gives them the advantage over other Indies?

I liked the idea of a small publisher because it allowed me to be more involved in all the decisions while still having the expertise and advice of people who had done this many times. Clean Reads was actually recommended to me by a good friend who thought it would be a perfect fit for this book. I’m so happy she did! They publish clean fiction in a variety of genres, so it was a great match for my love of writing sweet romances. It allows my story to shine in the specific market where it belongs. But more than the books they publish, they are an amazing group of people who inspire and encourage me. It’s a joy to be part of the Clean Reads team.


"I love a good clean love story and this is one of those. . . . This story had so much emotion in it, I kept going from crying to laughing to being mad at one of the characters. It is a really good read. . . . I would highly recommend this book to other readers. I loved it."

And don't forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven't already...

Happily Ever Afters
Rachel Magee
Contemporary Sweet Romance
ebook, 286 pages
September 19th 2017 by Clean Reads

Lainey Stratton does not fall in love with strangers she meets on vacation. It simply doesn’t make logical sense. So when Lainey meets Carter Thompson on the first day of her Caribbean vacation, she knows it could never amount to anything more than a crush. At the end of the vacation she will return to Dallas and he will return to D.C., and that will be the end of it. Well, unless he wants to join her at a friend’s destination wedding, which would be considered vacation too, right?

But when an unexpected tragedy sends Lainey’s logical world spiraling out of control, she realizes her vacation crush might be the only one who can help her pick up the pieces of her shattered life. That is, as long as she can get out of the way of her own happiness. And as long as Carter’s past doesn’t catch up with him before she gets a chance.


About the Author


Rachel Magee wrote her first novel when she was twelve and entered it into a contest for young author/illustrators. Unfortunately, the judges weren’t impressed with her stick figures. So she dropped the dream of becoming a world famous illustrator and stuck to spinning stories. When she’s not busy working on her latest book, she loves to travel with her family and friends. By far, her favorite destination is the beach, which tends to work its way into most of her stories. Between vacations, you can find her at home in The Woodlands, TX with her wonderful husband, their two adventurous kids and a couple of spirited pets, all of whom share Rachel’s love of the ocean. Well, except the cat and dog. They’re both afraid of water. Find out more about what Rachel has been up to at rachelmageebooks.com.

Tour Giveaway


Happily Ever Afters Prize Pack 1 (US residents only)
· Happily Ever Afters coffee mug
· Tea Sampler Pack
· Happily Ever Afters notebook
· Lilly Pulitzer pen
· Chocolates
· ‘Vacations’ picture frame

Happily Ever Afters Prize Pack 2 (US and International residents))
· $25 Amazon e-gift card

Giveaway ends October 4th

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New Releases/#Free & Bargain Books for September 25th - October 1st #BookSale


Here are the New Releases / Free & Bargain Books, hosted by
Sharon over at Beck Valley Books, for this week! Check it all out below...

Authors please feel free to add your own books.
Readers please free to add your own finds.
(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author
For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author
For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date 
For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Here is this weeks awesome selection!
Would you like to share our linkup on your site? click here
Would you like to become a weekly host? sign up here

Come back and check out the new selection every week!

Horizon by Fran Wilde (Guest Post & #Giveaway)


The setting for this series is rather intriguing, as are the plot and characters.
The author is sharing some fun facts below, so check that and the giveaway out...

Horizon
(Bone Universe #3)
by Fran Wilde
Adult Fantasy
Hardcover & ebook, 448 Pages
September 26th 2017 by Tor Books

Summary

A City of living Bone towers crumbles to the ground and danger surrounds. Kirit Densira has lost everything she loved the most―her mother, her home, and the skies above. Nat Brokenwings―once Kirit's brother long before the rebellion tore them apart―is still trying to save his family in the face of catastrophe. They will need to band together once more to ensure not just own survival, but that of their entire community.

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

Praise for the Series

"Wilde’s fantastical trilogy (after Cloudbound) takes on violent political divisions, ecological desolation, and the imminent death of the only world the characters have ever known....Fans of the series will be satisfied by its conclusion." ―Publishers Weekly on Horizon

“A fantastic follow-up to Updraft―I liked it better than its predecessor, particularly for what it says about the politics of fear and prejudice, and how giving people what they want isn't always the best thing." ―Aliette de Bodard, award-winning author of House of Shattered Wings, on Cloudbound

"A thrilling and complex tale about the most difficult stage of a revolution: what do you do after you win? Highly recommended both for the story it tells as well as how it tells that story. Wilde takes risks that pay off hugely.” ―Ken Liu, Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author of The Grace of Kings, on Cloudbound

"A book that’s impossible to put down. [Wilde has] planted herself firmly in the “authors to watch” category." ―Andrew Liptak on Updraft

"The world of the towers grown from bone, where residents strap on wings and soar the air currents, is captivating...Kirit’s journey to find her place is satisfying, but the real draw is a world that readers will be anxious to revisit in future volumes of this exciting new series." ―Library Journal, starred review, on Updraft

Ten Facts About A City of Living Bone Towers

In Updraft, Cloudbound, and Horizon – the Bone Universe Series from Tor Books and Fran Wilde, a city of living bone towers rises high above the clouds. The past is lost to legend, and the winds are filled with monsters and man-made wings.

1. It is important to know who your friends are.

2. Gravity is not your friend.

3. The steep towers generate their own updrafts, making flight easier.

4. But the air is filled with dangers.

5. And the clouds below are even worse.

6. But the greatest threat of all is fear.

7. … maybe. It might be the giant invisible flying carnivorous cephalopods

8. … or it could be the enormous, sharp-beaked bone eaters

9. … or it might be that one person who hungers for power above all other things

10. It is important to know who your friends are.

Other Books in the Series


About the Author


Photo Credit: Steven Gould

Fran Wilde’s novels and short stories have been nominated for two Nebula awards and a Hugo, and include her Andre Norton- and Compton-Crook-winning debut novel, Updraft (Tor 2015), its sequels, Cloudbound (2016) and Horizon (2017), and the novelette “The Jewel and Her Lapidary” (Tor.com Publishing 2016). Her short stories appear in Asimov’s, Tor.com, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Shimmer, Nature, and the 2017 Year’s Best Dark Fantasy and Horror. She writes for publications including The Washington Post, Tor.com, Clarkesworld, iO9.com, and GeekMom.com. You can find her on Twitter, Facebook, and at franwilde.net.


Tour-Wide Giveaway


3 Winners will receive a Set Copy of Bone Universe Series (3 Books in Total) UPDRAFT, CLOUDBOUND and HORIZON by Fran Wilde.
- Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

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Have you read any of the books in this series? Will you be?

Tickets Now on Sale for The Forgotten Carols!


Announcing that tickets are now on sale for The Forgotten Carols!
Check for shows and purchase tickets HERE.

Message from Michael McLean

THE FORGOTTEN CAROLS has been a gift I first received back in 1991 when the book and accompanying music was written and released to the public. As with all good gifts, particularly one like The Forgotten Carols, comes a desire to share it with others…with the hope that they will “receive” the gift as I did; Feeling the message and the love of the season in the context of the story and songs. When I first started “performing” the story I thought it was my gift to the audience, but then I discovered that the more I tried to give it away the more it came back to me…a hundred fold. Being able to bring the story to life with a team of talented people that truly have become “family” is another part of the gift that has profoundly blessed my life. But WHAT MOST SURPRISES ME is how the presentation of this story with songs has grown, evolved and taught me things in the language that resonates so deeply with me. Story & Song. A couple of days ago, quite out of the blue, A NEW SONG, maybe we could call it a New Carol, just arrived. I sat at the piano and it just poured out of me. It really touched me because it captures what I think Uncle John would want most for Connie Lou (and the entire world, for that matter). Just this morning I envisioned how this new carol could be presented during this year’s TOUR and I got goosebumps. I can’t wait to share this gift I just received. So, if you ask what The Forgotten Carols means to me, it means RECEIVING then SHARING then DISCOVERING the meaning of the gift, and then RECEIVING MORE, then SHARING MORE and then DISCOVERING more.



About the Show

The Forgotten Carols stage performance tells the story of Connie Lou, a nurse whose empty life is changed when Uncle John, a new patient she is attending, recounts the story of Christ’s birth as told by little known characters in the nativity story. The accounts from the Innkeeper, the Shepherd and others help the nurse discover what the world has forgotten about Christmas, ultimately encouraging her to open her heart to the joy of this special season.


Video Message


We've listened to the music for this show for years and are looking forward to attending this year. It's a great way to get into the Christmas spirit!

The Chosen Knights by Mary Ting - #FREE for a limited time! (Excerpt, Book Trailer & #Giveaway)


Mary Ting has some really neat covers for her books. Her newest is FREE
for a limited time and I plan on grabbing a copy. Check it all out below...

The Chosen Knights
(The Angel Knights #1)
by Mary Ting
YA Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, ? Pages
March 19th 2016

Summary

(HIGHLY recommend to read prequel first–The Angel Knights)

SOME BOOKS AREN’T MEANT TO BE OPENED

***City of Bones meets The Da Vinci Code.

Urban fantasy lover’s dream! Demons, vampires, angels, witches, and fallen angels all set to the back drop of high school in Hawaii, and astral travel to the past to Knights Templar era.

*** SILVER AWARD WINNER 2016–YA FANTASY–READERS’ FAVORITE INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARD***

A page turning mystery with a supernatural twist that entertains to the last page! ~InD’tale Magazine

When teens go missing in Hawaii, a group of demon-hunters—half human and half angel—disguised as high school students, must leave Crossroads, the place where they reside. In a race against time, they uncover the mystery connecting the missing teens, which dates back to the era of the Knights Templar. However, when they discover one of the Templars passed down a book containing all the secrets and codes to finding a particular treasure, they soon realize this forbidden treasure needs to be found before Cyrus, the lord of the possessor demons, acquires it—a treasure which been safeguarded and hidden from him.

There is only one problem: the pages containing the clues leading to the treasure is missing. When the first page is found, Cyrus threatens to kill more descendants of the Knights Templar if it is not given to him by Friday the thirteenth. In the midst of threats and discovery, the demon-hunting angels find they are not alone when supernatural beings begin to reveal themselves. Can they put their differences aside and work together to solve the Knights Templars’ cipher? As they astral travel to the past, they witness a lot more than they have bargained for. And some things are better left unseen.

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)
FREE for a limited time!


Excerpt

Eli willed his sword away. It disappeared behind his back, just the way I would have done it. “You know nothing. Nothing about me is human. I won’t be a part of something that could kill any one of you.”

“How could it kill us if—?” Then I had a thought, recalling the first time I’d seen him in the cafeteria. I had no evidence but it was worth the shot. “You can astral travel, can’t you? You’ve done it before, when you first saw me in the cafeteria. You can travel in the present too. That’s why you took off.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Do you even know what that is?” His jaw clenched.
I knew he was lying. “Out-of-body experience.” I followed behind him when he started walking away.

“You have no idea of the consequences when you travel. Astral travel.”

“Then let it be my consequence.”

Eli whipped around. His face was just a breath away from mine. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Then show me.”

Eli pierced his eyes into mine. His heart drummed a mile a minute. “You want to feel pain, Lucia? You want to know what happens to people when they astral travel?”

“I-I—” I didn’t know what to say. I certainly didn’t expect him to say the things he did.
Eli extended his arm to me. “Take my hand.”

“No.”

“Take my hand, Lucia.” His tone was stern.

I shook my head.

“Last warning.”

“Last warning for—ELI.” I screamed. My stomach dropped, along with my body. Eli’s arms embraced me as we plunged through multiple layers of clouds with my back facing down. Hair whipped my face and the force of gravity made me dizzy.

“You didn’t heed my warning, Lucia,” Eli grumbled.

“So you’re trying to kill me?” The normal reaction for someone in this situation would be to fight back, but my instincts told me I wasn’t in danger. “What are you doing?” The clouds got smaller as we plummeted faster by the second. I began to have second thoughts. Wanting to believe so badly I could get through to him, I’d let it possibly cost my life.

He ignored my plea. Looking squarely in my eyes as air rushed against us, he said nonchalantly, “Get ready to die.”

Book Trailer


Other Books in the Series


About the Author


International Bestselling Author Mary Ting/M. Clarke resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great. Why the pen name, M Clarke? She tours with Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children's chapter book-No Bullies Allowed.


Tour-Wide Giveaway
XBTBanner1

Have you read any of this author's books? Will you be grabbing a copy of this one?

Happily Ever Afters by Rachel Magee (Excerpt & #Giveaway)

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

This story sounds really sweet and it's now on my list to read.
There's an excerpt below to check out, as well as a tour giveaway...

Happily Ever Afters
Rachel Magee
Contemporary Sweet Romance
ebook, 286 pages
September 19th 2017 by Clean Reads

Summary

Lainey Stratton does not fall in love with strangers she meets on vacation. It simply doesn’t make logical sense. So when Lainey meets Carter Thompson on the first day of her Caribbean vacation, she knows it could never amount to anything more than a crush. At the end of the vacation she will return to Dallas and he will return to D.C., and that will be the end of it. Well, unless he wants to join her at a friend’s destination wedding, which would be considered vacation too, right?

But when an unexpected tragedy sends Lainey’s logical world spiraling out of control, she realizes her vacation crush might be the only one who can help her pick up the pieces of her shattered life. That is, as long as she can get out of the way of her own happiness. And as long as Carter’s past doesn’t catch up with him before she gets a chance.

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

Excerpt

Excerpt 2
He had just finished his conversation and pushed his empty bottle across the bar when I walked up.
“You look amazing,” he said. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his faded jeans and I noticed his eyes slip south before he regained control and forced them back up to my eyes.
I knew this dress was too short.
“You up for a little walk? There’s this little place down the road I’ve heard has the best monfongos.” He nodded his head toward the street entrance of the resort. I followed him through the lobby.
“Sounds great. I think. What are monfongos?”
Carter leaned in as if he were about to share a huge secret with me. “I have no idea,” he whispered. “Some sort of traditional Puerto Rican dish, I think.” We walked past the taxi stand and on down the palm tree lined sidewalk.
“Then I definitely think we should try them,” I whispered back. “Any idea what’s in it?”
He shrugged. “Nope. But tonight, I’m feeling daring. How about you?”
Daring was not a way I often felt. I preferred to make decisions based on fact and scientific reason. But for some reason, on this picturesque street with this handsome semi-stranger, daring sounded like a great idea.
“As long as I can point at the menu instead of trying to pronounce it. My Spanish has an embarrassing amount of Texan accent in it.”
“I think that can be allowed.” He opened the door of the restaurant for me. “And for the record, I like the accent,” he drawled, before turning his attention to the hostess. 

About the Author


Rachel Magee wrote her first novel when she was twelve and entered it into a contest for young author/illustrators. Unfortunately, the judges weren’t impressed with her stick figures. So she dropped the dream of becoming a world famous illustrator and stuck to spinning stories. When she’s not busy working on her latest book, she loves to travel with her family and friends. By far, her favorite destination is the beach, which tends to work its way into most of her stories. Between vacations, you can find her at home in The Woodlands, TX with her wonderful husband, their two adventurous kids and a couple of spirited pets, all of whom share Rachel’s love of the ocean. Well, except the cat and dog. They’re both afraid of water. Find out more about what Rachel has been up to at rachelmageebooks.com.

Tour Schedule

Happily Ever Afters Prize Pack 1 (US residents only)
· Happily Ever Afters coffee mug
· Tea Sampler Pack
· Happily Ever Afters notebook
· Lilly Pulitzer pen
· Chocolates
· ‘Vacations’ picture frame

Happily Ever Afters Prize Pack 2 (US and International residents))
· $25 Amazon e-gift card

Giveaway ends October 4th

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Grab Our Button!


What do you think? Will you be adding this to your list?

I can't wait for... Lies Jane Austen Told Me by Julie Wright (Can't-Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday)


Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

In case you haven't noticed, I'm a huge romance fan, but especially the romances in the Proper Romance line from Shadow Mountain. All previous releases were set historically, so this is their first contemporary release and it sounds super fun! It's my pick this week...

Elemental Lies by Elle Middaugh (Excerpt & #Giveaway)


Elemental Lies
(Essential Elements #2)
by Elle Middaugh
YA Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, 480 Pages
July 24th 2017

Summary

Valerie Moore is an Elemental, a person who commands one of the classical elements of wind, water, fire, or earth. She’s special, though. She controls two—fire and water—though sometimes it seems like they control her. 

After the accidental exposure of Elementals to humanity, Valerie finds herself—and all of her kind—struggling to attain equality. Three different groups fight to secure leadership, and with all of their hidden agendas, she doesn’t know which side to choose. The balance between peaceful cohabitation and all-out war is precarious, at best. 

When a chance meeting brings Val and earth Elemental Cade Landston back together, everything changes. She realizes what she knew in the beginning—that he’s the one she wants. Her desire to win him over draws her closer to him, and his vengeful mission to hunt down her murderous grandfather brings them both closer to trouble.

From mysterious doppelgangers to reckless rescue missions, scapegoat bombings, and evolving Elemental powers, Valerie strains to keep up. 

All she knows is she must stop her grandfather at all costs. To do so, she has to figure out the truth. But how can she, when almost everyone she knows has been telling lies?

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)



Excerpt

I shivered, suddenly becoming more aware of my surroundings. The crowd of Elementals had gotten closer, tightening the semicircle around us. Cade was on his toes, fingers fidgeting, seconds away from fight or flight. The burnt electrical taste of adrenaline crept onto my tongue and I backed up, blood pressure rising.
Loren laughed. “There’s nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.”
At that, the hole in the cave wall sealed shut—an Earth on Loren’s left had seen to that. His smile was smug, and I wanted to slap it right off his face.
“Just get back in the cage,” she all but sang, “and no one will get hurt.”
Cade, of course, wasn’t having it.
He leapt into the air, his eyes hard like stones, lips set in a thin line, fists clenched tight. It was like a scene from a videogame, slow motion and totally badass, but still unreal. When he landed, the cave floor ripped in half. Loren and her minions scampered backward, knocked off balance. The thunderous vibrations dizzied most of us.
“Jump!” Cade shouted, nearly pushing me into the gorge. Suddenly we were falling. His arms wrapped around my waist and constricted like a snake. I was grateful for the near asphyxiation, though, because even with his tight grip, I nearly slipped from his grasp when we hit the bottom.
“Move!” he cried, clasping my hand as he quickly led the way—to where, I had no idea, nor did I care. My feet stumbled as I trailed after him.
The walls of the gorge must’ve been fifty feet high, and I could barely see a thing. Light shined above like a jagged tear in black fabric, but it didn’t reach the narrow bottom where the shadows shrouded our path. Dust hovered, tickling my nose and throat. Shouting and stomping echoed off the cavern walls, a frazzling reminder that we needed to move swiftly.
Ahead, the path moved uphill. Tree leaves peeked down from above and white winter sunlight became the new backdrop. The ravine reached its end, delivering us back into the thick forestry of Black Walnut State Park.
We weren’t far from the Elitist encampment, not nearly far enough.
The wind picked up, pushing against us until tears streamed from our eyes. Ice spikes flew past our shoulders like spears. Saplings darted past like arrows. Cannonballs of fire exploded around us, spraying dirt and smoke. I’d have been lying if I said I wasn’t scared.
Loren and her minions were hot on our heels. We needed more cover, but I couldn’t ask that of Cade. I was pretty sure that after all he’d already done—concealed himself and me from other Earths, chiseled through the cave walls, smashed a ravine into the rocky floor—his reserves were probably running low. It was my turn to pull some weight.
I glanced around, my white-blonde hair whipping across my face, but saw nothing immediately available to use to help us, no rivers or volcanoes to hide in—because, yeah, what else could a Fire use as cover? I supposed I could make a river by melting the snow…or…I could create an avalanche. There were plenty of mountains around, plenty of snow. It wouldn’t keep the Waters from following us, but stopping three-quarters of our pursuers in their tracks seemed like quite a decent advantage.
I awoke the water within me, quickly stirring it into a hissing whirlpool of ire. Then I set it free. As the power erupted out around me, the forest floor beneath us began to shake. The static rumbling of something large and terrifying filled the air. Loren and her lackeys backed off, cocking their heads to decipher the sounds. I grabbed Cade’s bicep and pulled him on. We would not want to be standing there in another few seconds.
“Avalanche!” an Elitist Water bellowed, and the others scattered wildly.
Not two seconds later, the first tufts of raging white snow breeched the caps of the nearby trees. It sprayed like a heavy wave, snapping branches and whole trunks alike. 

Other Books in the Series

Elemental Secrets
(Essential Elements #1)
by Elle Middaugh
YA Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, 432 Pages
April 21st 2016

Summary

With her mother long deceased and her father recently deployed, Valerie Moore is sent to live with her eccentric aunt in a tiny town nestled in the mountains of Pennsylvania. Being a Navy brat has made her into a bit of a loner, and making friends isn’t high on her list.

Time with her aunt, however, soon convinces her that a life of loneliness really isn’t what she wants. So, she opens up and makes a few friends - friends with secrets.

Her love life quickly becomes a mess. Torn between the conflicted heartbreaker next door, the persistent jock at the top, and the rugged college bad boy, Valerie finds it almost impossible to choose just one guy.

Romance isn’t her only problem, though.

Secrets are revealed about her family, her friends and relationships, and her whole world…

But the biggest secret of all is unveiled when Valerie discovers she has Elemental powers, unleashing a rapid chain of irreversible events.

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

About the Author


Elle Middaugh lives in the Allegheny Mountains outside of Clearfield, Pennsylvania, with her wonderful husband and three beautiful children. She spends most of her time raising kids, writing stories, playing video games, reading, and attempting to keep a clean house.
She’s a proud Navy wife, a frazzle-brained mother, a fan of health and fitness, a lover of hot tea and iced tea, and a believer in happily ever afters.

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Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco (Review & #Giveaway)


I was blown away by how good the first book in this series was and so this second book
has been high on my list. Read my what I thought and enter the tour giveaway below...

Hunting Prince Dracula
(Stalking Jack the Ripper #2)
by Kerri Maniscalco
YA Historical, Suspense, Thriller
Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 448 Pages
September 19th 2017 by Little, Brown & Company

Summary

In this hotly anticipated sequel to the haunting #1 bestseller Stalking Jack the Ripper, bizarre murders are discovered in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. Could it be a copycat killer...or has the depraved prince been brought back to life?

Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper's true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europe's best schools of forensic medicine...and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.

But her life's dream is soon tainted by blood-soaked discoveries in the halls of the school's forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life once again.

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

My Review

HUNTING PRINCE DRACULA is shrouded in mystery and intrigue with a very Gothic feel. Again, Audrey and Thomas get to test their skills as well as their relationship as danger stalks ever closer. Those who enjoyed the first book and stories a little more on the macabre side with witty banter and romance mixed in, will enjoy this one.

I fell in love with Audrey and Thomas in Stalking Jack the Ripper and was happy to dive back into their storybook world. The setting is much more Gothic this time around with them staying at an old castle in Romania with hidden tunnels and plenty of secrets. I loved seeing how Thomas' brain works and his continual struggle to woo Audrey. He really is such an incredibly sweet guy. Audrey is a little unhinged in this story after the conclusion of the last book. While I didn't blame her, I also wanted her to reason through things better. She was really hot and cold, one minute breaking apart and the next talking sweetly to Thomas. I felt a little like I was getting whiplash with her, especially as some of the mood swings were so quick with no transition. I wanted more consistency from her. I did adore the back and forth and all the banter between her and Thomas. I loved them together in the first book and I still love them together here.

Then there is the whole murder/mystery plot... I love it when a mystery keeps the villain hidden from me until almost the end and this story definitely did that. There were little clues here and there, but mostly I had to piece things together as the characters did. I also thought the twist off of vampires and Vlad the Impaler was also quite interesting and creative. It lent a definite Gothic and macabre feel to the story. Some of it was gruesome, but non-descriptive as the characters don't usually see any violence, just the consequences or aftermath of it. The innuendo was quite a bit more mature than in the first book as was some other content, so would recommend to older readers.

In the end, was it what I wished for? Overall, this was a decent follow-up to the first book with another mystery to be solved and plenty of romantic sparks. I'm hoping that things with Audrey and between her and Thomas will be more resolved in the next book and am quite curious what twisted case they will tackle next.

Content: Lots of innuendo, some gruesome scenes (they study murders, so generally the bodies have been murdered), some lesbian references.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through The Fantastic Flying Book Club, which did not require a review nor affect it in any way.

Other Books in the Series

Stalking Jack the Ripper
(Stalking Jack the Ripper #1)
by Kerri Maniscalco
YA Historical, Mystery, Thriller, Horror
Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 336 Pages
September 20th 2016 by Jimmy Patterson

Summary

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

Read my review HERE.

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

About the Author


Kerri Maniscalco grew up in a semi-haunted house outside NYC where her fascination with gothic settings began. In her spare time she reads everything she can get her hands on, cooks all kinds of food with her family and friends, and drinks entirely too much tea while discussing life’s finer points with her cats.

Her first novel in this series, Stalking Jack the Ripper, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It incorporates her love of forensic science and unsolved history.


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Have you read the first book in this series or will be reading this one?