BOOK REVIEW: Other Bodies by Joel Ohman #otherbodies #flyby

Synopsis: For fans of The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, and Divergent comes a YA dystopian/light romance with a strong female protagonist who is forced to question everything...

In a world where immersive VR suits distort what is real from what is not, and the AI Personhood Act blurs the lines between body and bot, the choices sixteen-year-old Hattie Martins faces are very personal.

Welcome to Hattie Martins' dystopian Philadelphia, where everything is not as it seems...

Just as her life is looking up--a new job, new friends, a new date--Hattie discovers not all progress in her beloved, futuristic Philadelphia is for the best. Societal regrets can become personal regrets in an instant. Choices don't always come with second chances, and when they do the cost can be unimaginable. How far will she go to undo her greatest regret? And worse yet, what will she become if it's too late? 

In a world where bots are equal to bodies, what does it mean to be alive?

What is real?

Which bodies matter?

What about the other bodies?... 

In this blistering new young adult novel from the #1 bestselling author of the Meritropolis series, readers will question everything they know about life and reality in a unique dystopian adventure that is equal parts moral dilemma and romance.

If you enjoy Veronica Roth, James Dashner, or Suzanne Collins then this is the story of the year you won't want to miss. BUY NOW.

*Subject matter includes references to euthanasia, abortion, and teenage pregnancy. There are NO sex scenes and NO curse words. This is a stand-alone book with a complete story from beginning to end. There are NO cliff-hangers and this is NOT a part of a series.*

Review: I chose to read this book mostly just to see how the author was going to deal with such a sensitive subject in a dystopian world. I then had trouble following the story in the beginning (I'm still not sure who was talking in some of the chapters) and came close to giving up on it entirely more than once. 

I was disappointed that a supposedly Christian book had little to no mention of God's grace and forgiveness and that it presented the main character as so full of shame and guilt over more than one aspect of her life without ever showing her overcoming those emotions with the help of faith and salvation.

I was even more disturbed by the way the fetuses were used/abused at the Managed Motherhood clinic. Those passages alone made it a book that I would never recommend to the YA readers who make up its suggested audience.

I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and all opinions are entirely my own.

Rating: Three stars

About the author

Joel Ohman lives in Tampa, FL with his wife Angela and their three kids. His writing companion is Caesar, a slightly overweight Bull Mastiff who loves to eat the tops off of strawberries. Joel is the author of the #1 bestselling Meritropolis series--"The Hunger Games meets The Village with a young Jack Reacher as a protagonist" and the new YA release, Other Bodies. Join the Joel Ohman Reader's Group for FREE giveaways and VIP access to pre-release books, gift cards, and special announcements. Join now at JoelOhman.com!

BOOK TOUR: The Last Timekeepers and the Dark Secret (The Last Timekeepers #2) by Sharon Ledwith

Only a true hero can shine the light in humanity’s darkest time.

Book Details:

Title: The Last Timekeepers and the Dark Secret

Series:  The Last Timekeepers, Book 2

Author Name: Sharon Ledwith

Genre(s): Middle Grade, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy, WWII

Release Date: October 17, 2016

Publisher:  Mirror World Publishing 

About The Last Timekeepers and the Dark Secret:

Fourteen year-old Jordan Jensen always considered himself a team player on and off the field, until the second Timekeeper mission lands him in Amsterdam during World War Two. Pulled into the world of espionage, torture, and intolerance, Jordan and the rest of the Timekeepers have no choice but to stay one step ahead of the Nazis in order to find and protect a mysterious book.

With the help of the Dutch Resistance, an eccentric baron, Nordic runes, and an ancient volume originating from Atlantis, Jordan must learn that it takes true teamwork, trust, and sacrifice to keep time safe from the evils of fascism. Can Jordan find the hero within to conquer the darkness surrounding the Timekeepers? If he doesn’t, then the terrible truth of what the Nazis did will never see the light of day.

Read an Excerpt:

“I wonder what else is down here.” Drake beamed his cell phone across the basement, hitting jars of jams, pickles, and relishes. His stomach growled.

Jordan pulled the cheese from his pocket and handed it to Drake. “Trade you for your phone.”

“Best. Trade. Ever.” Drake passed his phone to Jordan.

Jordan walked over and grabbed a jar of pickles off the dusty shelf. At least they wouldn’t arrive at the baron’s place hungry. He hoped his uncle had managed to stop Amanda’s bleeding. His hand tightened over the jar, the ridges of the lid cutting into his palm. A scrape from behind the shelves made Jordan jump.

“Hello?” he asked, pushing jars aside. He flashed the cell phone into the small, dark area.

“Who ya talking to, Jordan?” Drake asked with his mouth full of cheese.

“Shhh, Drake.” Jordan listened. Hearing nothing, he shrugged and turned back around.

“I thought I heard—” Jordan stopped and pointed the phone at Ravi. His jaw dropped. “A-Are you serious, Sharma?”

Drake spat out his cheese, snorting with laughter.

“Is there a problem?” Ravi asked, tying the bowtie of his tuxedo.

“You look like a penguin with attitude!” Drake slapped his knee.

“Say what you want, but I’m glad we didn’t hit the cleaners on the way to school now,” Ravi replied, pulling down his sleeves, “or else I wouldn’t have these dry clothes.”

Jordan chuckled. Suddenly, he heard a door creak open, followed by heavy footsteps squeaking down the stairs. Panicking, Jordan stuffed Drake’s phone in his track suit jacket’s pocket and waved Drake over by the shelves. Drake slipped behind Jordan just in time, before the small light bulb above the bottom of the stairs clicked on. Jordan swallowed hard. There, staring directly at Ravi was a portly man in a blood-stained apron. Tufts of blond hair sprouted from the sides of his balding head. His brown trousers were pulled up past his waist, making him resemble an evil garden gnome. In one of his hands, he held a huge butcher knife, its blade flecked with blood.

Wielding the knife, the man pointed at Ravi. “Who are you?”

Ravi licked his thick lips nervously. “The name’s Bond. James Bond.”

Review: I enjoyed the prequel to this series, as well as the first actual book of the series, so was excited to get the opportunity to read this one. When I learned that it would deal with WWII, I was even more interested, as that is a period of history I have always had an interest in and love to read about it.

I was definitely not disappointed by this story. The timekeepers group get themselves into some suspenseful, frightening situations with the Nazis and with their time traveling nemesis, Crowley.  They work with the Dutch Resistance, including two people who are very important to their teacher, Melody. 

This story seemed to focus on Jordan, even though all the teens had major parts to play in solving the mystery and fulfilling their mission. He finds himself facing situations where he has to make decisions which  could take him out of his comfort zone. Will he step up and be the "hero" or will he continue to think inside the box and do what he has always done?  You'll have to read the book to find out!

A great story for teens, or for adults who enjoy well-written YA fiction.

**I received a copy of this book from the author and Mirror World Publishing. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.**

Rating: Four stars

Purchase Links:

Mirror World Publishing: 

Paperback: http://mirror-world-publishing.myshopify.com/collections/poetry/products/the-last-timekeepers-and-the-dark-secret-paperback

eBook: http://mirror-world-publishing.myshopify.com/collections/poetry/products/the-last-timekeepers-and-the-dark-secret-ebook

Amazon:  

http://amzn.to/2dJvpoL

Amazon.ca: 

https://www.amazon.ca/Last-Timekeepers-Dark-Secret

KOBO: 

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-last-timekeepers-and-the/9781987976199

Barnes & Noble: 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/mobile/w/the-last-timekeepers-and-the-dark-secret-sharon-ledwith

Meet the Author:

Escape to the past and have a blast.

Sharon Ledwith is the author of the middle-grade/young adult time travel series, THE LAST TIMEKEEPERS, and is represented by Walden House (Books & Stuff) for her teen psychic series, MYSTERIOUS TALES FROM FAIRY FALLS. When not writing, researching, or revising, she enjoys reading, exercising, anything arcane, and an occasional dram of scotch. Sharon lives a serene, yet busy life in a southern tourist region of Ontario, Canada, with her hubby, one spoiled yellow Labrador and a moody calico cat.

Learn more about Sharon Ledwith on her WEBSITE and BLOG. Look up her AMAZON AUTHOR page for a list of current books. Stay connected on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, GOOGLE+, and GOODREADS. Check out THE LAST TIMEKEEPERS TIME TRAVEL SERIES Facebook page.

Connect with Sharon Ledwith:

Sharon’s Website: www.sharonledwith.com

Sharon’s Blog: http://sharonledwith.blogspot.com/

Sharon’s Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/seledwith

The Last Timekeepers Series Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Last-Timekeepers-Time-Travel-Series/373953795955372

Twitter: @sharonledwith: https://twitter.com/sharonledwith

Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5821744.Sharon_Ledwith

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31831129-the-last-timekeepers-and-the-dark-secret

Google+ Page: https://plus.google.com/116758820349834035390#116758820349834035390/posts

Amazon Author U.S. Page: http://www.amazon.com/Sharon-Ledwith/e/B0084DUHJO

Amazon Author U.K. Page: http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B0084DUHJO

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/seledwith/

Follow the Tour:

http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-tour-schedule-last-timekeepers-and.html

COVER REVEAL: The Last Timekeepers and the Dark Secret (The Last Timekeepers #2) by Sharon Ledwith

Welcome to the cover reveal for Sharon Ledwith's upcoming new novel, The Last Time Keepers and the Dark Secret.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Title: The Last Timekeepers and the Dark Secret

Series:  The Last Timekeepers, Book 2

Author Name: Sharon Ledwith

Genre(s): Middle Grade, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy, WWII

Release Date: October 17, 2016

Publisher:  Mirror World Publishing (http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com) 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Are you ready to see the cover?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About The Last Timekeepers and the Dark Secret:

Only a true hero can shine the light in humanity’s darkest time.

Fourteen year-old Jordan Jensen always considered himself a team player on and off the field, until the second Timekeeper mission lands him in Amsterdam during World War Two. Pulled into the world of espionage, torture, and intolerance, Jordan and the rest of the Timekeepers have no choice but to stay one step ahead of the Nazis in order to find and protect a mysterious book.

With the help of the Dutch Resistance, an eccentric baron, Nordic runes, and an ancient volume originating from Atlantis, Jordan must learn that it takes true teamwork, trust, and sacrifice to keep time safe from the evils of fascism. Can Jordan find the hero within to conquer the darkness surrounding the Timekeepers? If he doesn’t, then the terrible truth of what the Nazis did will never see the light of day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Read an Excerpt:

“I wonder what else is down here.” Drake beamed his cell phone across the basement, hitting jars of jams, pickles, and relishes. His stomach growled.

Jordan pulled the cheese from his pocket and handed it to Drake. “Trade you for your phone.”

“Best. Trade. Ever.” Drake passed his phone to Jordan.

Jordan walked over and grabbed a jar of pickles off the dusty shelf. At least they wouldn’t arrive at the baron’s place hungry. He hoped his uncle had managed to stop Amanda’s bleeding. His hand tightened over the jar, the ridges of the lid cutting into his palm. A scrape from behind the shelves made Jordan jump.

“Hello?” he asked, pushing jars aside. He flashed the cell phone into the small, dark area.

“Who ya talking to, Jordan?” Drake asked with his mouth full of cheese.

“Shhh, Drake.” Jordan listened. Hearing nothing, he shrugged and turned back around.

“I thought I heard—” Jordan stopped and pointed the phone at Ravi. His jaw dropped. “A-Are you serious, Sharma?”

Drake spat out his cheese, snorting with laughter.

“Is there a problem?” Ravi asked, tying the bowtie of his tuxedo.

“You look like a penguin with attitude!” Drake slapped his knee.

“Say what you want, but I’m glad we didn’t hit the cleaners on the way to school now,” Ravi replied, pulling down his sleeves, “or else I wouldn’t have these dry clothes.”

Jordan chuckled. Suddenly, he heard a door creak open, followed by heavy footsteps squeaking down the stairs. Panicking, Jordan stuffed Drake’s phone in his track suit jacket’s pocket and waved Drake over by the shelves. Drake slipped behind Jordan just in time, before the small light bulb above the bottom of the stairs clicked on. Jordan swallowed hard. There, staring directly at Ravi was a portly man in a blood-stained apron. Tufts of blond hair sprouted from the sides of his balding head. His brown trousers were pulled up past his waist, making him resemble an evil garden gnome. In one of his hands, he held a huge butcher knife, its blade flecked with blood.

Wielding the knife, the man pointed at Ravi. “Who are you?”

Ravi licked his thick lips nervously. “The name’s Bond. James Bond.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meet the Author:

Unearthing the uncanny one book at a time.

Sharon Ledwith is the author of the middle-grade/young adult time travel series, THE LAST TIMEKEEPERS, and is represented by Walden House (Books & Stuff) for her teen psychic series, MYSTERIOUS TALES FROM FAIRY FALLS. When not writing, researching, or revising, she enjoys reading, exercising, anything arcane, and an occasional dram of scotch. Sharon lives a serene, yet busy life in a southern tourist region of Ontario, Canada, with her hubby, one spoiled yellow Labrador and a moody calico cat.

Connect with Sharon:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharonledwith

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2bEsmM0

Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5821744.Sharon_Ledwith

Blog: http://sharonledwith.blogspot.ca/

Tumbler: http://sharonledwith.tumblr.com/

Google+ : https://plus.google.com/116758820349834035390#116758820349834035390/posts

Publisher Website: http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com

Author's Website: http://sharonledwith.com/

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/167502

BLOG TOUR: This Night Sucks by Elizabeth J. M. Walker

Welcome to the Book Tour for Elizabeth J.M. Walker's new novella, This Night Sucks!

Follow the tour each day to read reviews, guest posts, and exclusive excerpts.

Book Details:

From the author of She Dreamed of Dragons

Title: This Night Sucks

Author Name: Elizabeth J.M. Walker

Genre(s): Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Vampires, Comedy

Release Date: June 17, 2016

Publisher:  Mirror World Publishing 

http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/

Mirror World Publishing Link:  

http://mirror-world-publishing.myshopify.com/products/this-night-sucks-ebook

Amazon Link: 

http://amzn.to/1U3RQSX

Link to the Tour Schedule:

http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/2016/06/book-tour-schedule-this-night-sucks-by.html

About the Book:

Lana is a high school senior enrolled in Vampire Education – a class to teach students about the very real presence of vampires in the world. Lana and her classmates don’t really expect to meet up with any undead bloodsuckers. Vampires are a lot like other scary things that supposedly exist but you hope you’ll never come across: nudist colonies, mad cow disease, and your parents’ sex life.

What is part of Lana’s everyday reality is navigating through one last year of high school while desperately trying to be less nerdy. She still loves spaceships, fantasy novels, and cat stickers, but she also recently got her braces removed, grew boobs, and is working on the makeup thing. She never expected her crush-of-a-lifetime Pete to even notice her – let alone ask her out on a date. 

The date is going great until Pete’s ex-girlfriend Katy shows up, all bloody and pissed off. Lana quickly realizes that Katy is not just her ordinary bitchy self – she has been turned into a vampire. After a near death experience, Lana learns that she is changing into a vampire too.

Lana needs answers, and the only way to get them is to find the vampire who started the chain of events – and to find him before sunrise... 

Review: This is such a fun read!  It's also a very quick read, which is great for summertime. The teens in the book are fairly realistic in attitude and actions--well, except for the vampire/vampire hunter parts.  LOL

The story flows quickly with lots of action. There are several "nerd" culture references which I enjoyed. The plot is fun and unique, and I found myself actually laughing out loud in many places.

This book is appropriate for teens or adults. The plot keeps you guessing, and the ending will be surprising. I'd like to read more adventures of the teen vampire hunters in the future.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

Rating: Four stars

Meet the Author:

Elizabeth J. M. Walker lives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. She has always loved books and writing. As a teen she discovered zines, which inspired her to publish her own litzine of odd fairy tales for over a decade.

She Dreamed of Dragons is her first novel.

Connect with Elizabeth J.M. Walker:

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elizabeth-J-M-Walker/620043831422660

Amazon US: 

http://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-J.-M.-Walker/e/B00PO8Z0MG

Goodreads Author Page:
http://www.goodreads.com/ElizabethJMWalke

Publisher Website: 

http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/

Author Website: 

www.elizabethjmwalker.com

COVER REVEAL: This Night Sucks by Elizabeth J. M. Walker

I am excited to present the cover for Elizabeth J.M. Walker's upcoming novella,

This Night Sucks!

First, here is what This Night Sucks is all about:

Lana is a high school senior enrolled in Vampire Education – a class to teach students about the very real presence of vampires in the world. Lana and her classmates don’t really expect to meet up with any undead bloodsuckers. Vampires are a lot like other scary things that supposedly exist but you hope you’ll never come across: nudist colonies, mad cow disease, and your parents’ sex life.

What is part of Lana’s everyday reality is navigating through one last year of high school while desperately trying to be less nerdy. She still loves spaceships, fantasy novels, and cat stickers, but she also recently got her braces removed, grew boobs, and is working on the makeup thing. She never expected her crush-of-a-lifetime Pete to even notice her – let alone ask her out on a date.

The date is going great until Pete’s ex-girlfriend Katy shows up, all bloody and pissed off. Lana quickly realizes that Katy is not just her ordinary bitchy self – she has been turned into a vampire. After a near death experience, Lana learns that she is changing into a vampire too.

Lana needs answers, and the only way to get them is to find the vampire who started the chain of events – and to find him before sunrise...

Are you ready for the cover?

Book Details:

From the author of She Dreamed of Dragons

Title: This Night Sucks

Author Name: Elizabeth J.M. Walker

Genre(s): Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Vampires, Comedy

Release Date: June 17, 2016

Publisher: Mirror World Publishing

Meet the Author:

Elizabeth J. M. Walker lives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. She has always loved books and writing. As a teen she discovered zines, which inspired her to publish her own litzine of odd fairy tales for over a decade.

She Dreamed of Dragons is her first novel.

Connect with Elizabeth J.M. Walker:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elizabeth-J-M-Walker/620043831422660

Amazon US:

http://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-J.-M.-Walker/e/B00PO8Z0MG

Amazon UK:

Goodreads Author Page:
http://www.goodreads.com/ElizabethJMWalke

Publisher Website:

http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/

Author Website:

www.elizabethjmwalker.com

Sunflower Touches (DIY Dolls #1) by Cheryl Oblon

BOOK INFORMATION

Genre: Young Adult, family issues

• File Size: 2142 KB
• Print Length: 235 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publication Date: March 12, 2016
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B01BXGMT9E

Synopsis: One more Brady Bunch joke, and I swear I will ugly cry in the corner! 

Dad took seven years after Mom died to find the right woman. My stepmom is nice. I have no complaints but one. Like Dad, she has three daughters. If math is your defect, that’s six teenage girls in one house. 
At least, we have a new house, but we also have a forced bonding project. It’s not a camping weekend—that’d be lame, but short. We have to share our craft and creative skills as a group to help each other with stuff. That’s what I get for offering to help with decorating this drab house. Even worse, it has to be recorded for the parents. 
Add that to school, boys, friends, and our own stuff…when am I supposed to have any fun? I’m glad Dad is happy, but the sister explosion was never in the plan. I’m the oldest. I’m hoping a stepmom will free me from being mini mom. Maybe I’ll find the freedom to pursue my art, spend time with some interesting guys, and enjoy what’s left of high school.

Review: I LOVED this book, and can't wait to read more in the series. It's definitely not the Brady Bunch, for sure. It's a more realistic look at two families blending, and six girls trying to find a way to get along.

One of the first differences that rears its head is how the families look at money. Chloe has no problem buying tablets and vanities for her new sisters, and making sure everyone had top quality hair products and feminine products. Cat is more frugal, and would be happy with the status quo.

The parents decide that the six girls should work together to decorate their home, reflecting each of their personalities--and that the entire process should be recorded. That shouldn't cause any problems, right?  LOL

Having raised three children, and survived, I found this author to have a truly authentic teen voice. I'm looking forward to learning more about this family in future books!

Rating: Four stars

About the author

Writer of YA…currently DIY Dolls contemp with intrigue and romance. She loves meeting readers, binge watching TV shows, wasting time watching YouTube, writing as much as possible, and making up stuff.
Cats over dogs. Chocolate over vanilla. Lime over lemon…gotta make decisions!

YA NEW YEAR BLOG TOUR: Empire Rising (City Of Legends, Book 3) by Cheyanne Young

BOOK INFORMATION

Genre: Young adult, science fiction, superheroes

Series: City of Legends

• File Size: 3098 KB
• Print Length: 226 pages
• Publisher: Alloy Entertainment - Powered by Amazon (February 2, 2016)
• Publication Date: February 2, 2016
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0198X5T1E

Synopsis: Eighteen years ago, Maci Knight’s family was destroyed when Aurora Falcon killed her mother. Now Aurora’s partner, Felix, has kidnapped Maci’s brother. For five long months, there’s been no sign of Max. His Codex is offline and she can’t feel even the slightest trace of his power. Maci refuses to give up hope, but when a new threat on King City emerges, Maci is ordered to abandon her search. 

Somehow Felix has managed to do the unthinkable: repower all the villains that Central has depowered over the years. Now they’ve banded together to get revenge on the Supers who wronged them. What feels like an arduous mission becomes an opportunity when Maci realizes that if she can stop the villains, she can get them to lead her to Felix—and her brother. 

In the action-packed conclusion of the City of Legends trilogy, Maci vows to save her city and bring her family back together—no matter the cost.
Review:  I read the entire trilogy of books in less than a week, and found it to be a fun, easy read. Reading it took me back to watching superhero cartoons on Saturday morning television. 

This series is full of surprises and twists, so that while you may think you know where the plot is headed, nine times out of ten you are going to be wrong. But that just added to the reading enjoyment for me, as I am not a fan of predictable plots.

The characters are well-developed and likable. Maci is not your typical YA heroine with self-confidence issues....she tends to go a little too far in the other direction at times, with a little too much faith in herself and her abilities. Her relationship with her twin sister, Nova, develops well over the course of the series, as they moved from the awkward getting to know you stage into sharing a deep bond and working together as a team. Reading about those transitions added more depth to the series.

There is a subplot involving the relationship between Evan and Maci, and we get to see that grow through the series, but it never becomes the main focus. I enjoyed the interactions between them, seeing their feelings develop.

While all the loose ends are tied up by the end of the third book, I would like to see more stories about these characters in the future.

Rating: Four stars

About the author

Cheyanne Young is a native Texan with a fear of cold weather and a coffee addiction that probably needs an intervention. She loves books, sarcasm, and collecting nail polish. After nearly a decade of working in engineering, Cheyanne now writes books for young adults and is the author of the City of Legends Trilogy. She doesn’t miss a cubicle one bit.

Cheyanne lives near the beach with her daughter and husband, one spoiled rotten puppy, and a cat that is most likely plotting to take over the world.

E-mail: chey@cheyanneyoung.com

YA NEW YEAR BLOG TOUR: Dark Touch by Aimee L. Salter

BOOK INFORMATION

Genre: Young Adult

• File Size: 3807 KB
• Print Length: 239 pages
• Publisher: Alloy Entertainment - Powered by Amazon (February 23, 2016)
• Publication Date: February 23, 2016
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0198PZLVA

Synopsis: Tully isn’t alone in her skin. Whenever she touches someone, they feel everything she feels. All her ugliness. All her darkness. All her pain.

The only thing she wants is to be left alone—and to finally get out of her small Oregon town.

But then she meets Chris. He’s everything she’s not. Light. Trusting. Innocent. And he wants Tully.

Tully knows she should spare him the heartache of being with her. But when he touches her, she’s not sure she’ll have the strength to push him away...

From the author of Every Ugly Word comes a poignant, emotionally raw story about the violence that plays out behind closed doors and the all-consuming passion of first love.

Review:  This was a tough book for me to read in places, because the life that Tully is living is so contrary to what I believe childhood and adolescence SHOULD be like. It just broke my heart to read about some of her experiences--more specifically, to read about how she accepted them as her "normal."

I don't want to give away plot details, as this is a book you need to absorb fully for yourself. It is fairly dark, but there is always a ray of hope throughout. The characters are amazingly realistic. Even in Tully's darkness, I loved her strength and her determination. Chris started out a tad bit annoying, but as the story progressed, he became much more likable. A few of the characters are downright loathsome, and you may find yourself wanting to smack them around a little!

The story does have a hopeful ending (I won't say "happy" ending, as that implies fairy tale, which this is most definitely NOT), and there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel for Tully. 

If you're looking for something to stir your emotions and give you food for thought, this is the book for you.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

Rating: Four stars

About the author

Born in Oregon, but raised in New Zealand, Aimee L. Salter now lives in Southern Oregon with her husband and son.

Aimee started as a self-published author, but her debut novel was acquired and re-released as Every Ugly Word by Alloy Entertainment in 2014. Her second book, Dark Touch, is out February 2016, also from Alloy Entertainment.

As well as a writer, Aimee is a wife, mother, and Christian. As far as she's concerned, that means Jesus loved her first, so she can learn to love everyone else. #StoptheHate

Aimee loves hearing from readers. You can find her on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads, or you can email aimee (at) aimeelsalter (dot) com.

A Criminal Magic by Lee Kelly

Book Information

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Saga Press (February 2, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1481410334
• ISBN-13: 978-1481410335

Synopsis: THE NIGHT CIRCUS meets PEAKY BLINDERS in Lee Kelly's new magical realism, crossover novel.

Magic is powerful, dangerous and addictive - and after passage of the 18th Amendment, it is finally illegal.

It's 1926 in Washington, DC, and while Anti-Sorcery activists have achieved the Prohibition of sorcery, the city's magic underworld is booming. Sorcerers cast illusions to aid mobsters' crime sprees. Smugglers funnel magic contraband in from overseas. Gangs have established secret performance venues where patrons can lose themselves in magic, and take a mind-bending, intoxicating elixir known as the sorcerer's shine.

Joan Kendrick, a young sorcerer from Norfolk County, Virginia accepts an offer to work for DC's most notorious crime syndicate, the Shaw Gang, when her family's home is repossessed. Alex Danfrey, a first-year Federal Prohibition Unit trainee with a complicated past and talents of his own, becomes tapped to go undercover and infiltrate the Shaws.

Through different paths, Joan and Alex tread deep into the violent, dangerous world of criminal magic - and when their paths cross at the Shaws' performance venue, despite their orders, and despite themselves, Joan and Alex become enchanted with one another. But when gang alliances begin to shift, the two sorcerers are forced to question their ultimate allegiances and motivations. And soon, Joan and Alex find themselves pitted against each other in a treacherous, heady game of cat-and-mouse.

A CRIMINAL MAGIC casts a spell of magic, high stakes and intrigue against the backdrop of a very different Roaring Twenties.

Review: This book is an alternative history of the Roaring Twenties in America. The major difference is that it is not alcohol which has been outlawed, but magic. There are gangsters, undercover policemen, spells, elixirs, and lots of intrigue.

The book is told through the alternating points of view of Joan and Alex. Joan travels to Washington DC in hopes of being chosen to belong to an elite (illegal) magical group. Alex is an undercover law enforcement agent who holds a grudge against the criminal underworld.

The author does an amazing job of describing the magical system, with all its spells and rituals. She writes the two main characters very realistically and develops their personalities in great depth. Joan and Alex have conflicting goals and motivations, and that leads to some very emotional scenes, especially when they are falling for one another.

The final outcome of the story was not at all what I expected....but at the same time it made perfect sense. I have a feeling I'll be re-reading this one in the future, and I also plan to read the author's first book, City of Savages, next month.

Rating: Four stars

About the author

Lee Kelly has wanted to write since she was old enough to hold a pencil, but it wasn’t until she began studying for the California Bar Exam that she conveniently started putting pen to paper. 

An entertainment lawyer by trade, Lee has practiced law in Los Angeles and New York. 

She lives with her husband and son in Millburn, New Jersey, though after a decade in Manhattan, she can’t help but still call herself a New Yorker. 

Visit her at NewWriteCity.com.

PROMO AND GIVEAWAY: The Starlight Chronicles by Lisa Orchard

BOOK TOUR: Heartbound by P. I. Alltraine

BOOK INFORMATION

Title: Heartbound
Author: P.I. Alltraine
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Pages: 177
Genre: YA fantasy romance

Synopsis
Petyr has never found it necessary to consider the humans as anything more than distant, inferior beings–until now. They are the cause of the fatal disease that has plagued his realm, taking the lives of too many of his kind. As a future leader of a realm in peril, Petyr must find a way to resist and cure the affliction. He must enter the unfamiliar realm, appear to be an ordinary eighteen-year-old human, observe, and learn.

However, things don't exactly go according to plan. Instead of embarking single-mindedly on his sober mission, Petyr meets an 18-year-old girl who does things to his emotions that he can't quite fathom or control. Petyr is falling in love, and he almost forgets the gravity his choices have on his entire world. Despite the risk it poses to his life and hers, he wants to know her, and he wants her to know him–and his world.

For More Information

Heartbound is available at Amazon.

Watch the trailer at YouTube.

Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

Book Excerpt:

I defied my fate the moment I leapt out of my apartment’s third-story window. I landed on the pavement without a sound. In the same instant, my feet blended into the measured pace in which humans carried themselves.

Gazing up at the sky, I tried to find something to remind me of my home, of my duty. The future leader of a realm in peril cannot be overcome by irrational desires, I thought.

Thick smoke obscured the heavens so much even the brightest stars were dull and barely visible. A reminder I was trapped in this city, in this realm. Too far away from everything I knew, too restrained, too human.

Through the chaos in my mind, I captured the image of the girl with brown and dark-auburn tones in her hair, the shine that bounced from her loose curls, the depth in her hazel eyes, and even the awkward half-smile when she caught me looking at her. But the memory wasn’t enough. I needed to see her again.

I kept walking until I reached the riverbank in the heart of London. The water rippled with a disheveled mesh of gold and red, reflecting a large architectural structure. My gaze lingered on the clock tower adjacent to the building, gauging its height. A temptation to feel even a fraction of my true nature became a need in every fiber in my body. No longer able to rationalize, my muscles coiled, and I let go. Wind enveloped me with its familiar warmth as I sprang across the River Thames. I aimed to land on the lower portion of the tower, to indulge in the pleasure of my ascent. Though too fast for human eyes, each maneuver, each somersault, each back flip was slow enough for me to savor every moment of my liberation.

On a part of the roof concealed from the passersby below, I was closer to the heavens than I’d been since arriving in the city. Still, I didn’t belong here. Hundreds of lights sparkled below me, each representing a life I didn’t comprehend. Allowing myself to break free from my human façade had made me a liability to the others. For a few moments of freedom, I let myself forget the importance of my purpose here—the lives that depended on it.

Somehow, having the girl’s image in my mind brought calmness within me. One that felt permanent. One that extinguished the sense of entrapment, despite the thick layer of smoke that was still very visible to me. I held on to the calmness as I regained the confidence to face the others.

Review
This is a very unique story. We're introduced to a race of aliens who are divided into subgroups based on their abilities. Some of the words they toss out in conversation aren't explained until later in the story, which got to be a little confusing.

I have to admit that I was much more enamored with the fantasy aspects of this story than I was with the "romance" between Petyr and Scarlett. It seemed more like an obsession on Petyr's part, and that didn't appeal to me at all.

Once the focus shifted to Petyr's world, I was definitely hooked. And the whole concept of the Forbidden was captivating as well.

There are supposed to be more books in the series, and I can hardly wait to see what is going to happen in them.

Rating
Four stars

About the author

P.I. Alltraine is an award winning poet and author. She has won several international poetry competitions, and her poems have been published in separate anthologies.

She teaches English Language and Literature in London. She earned her degree in BA English from Queen Mary University of London, a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and Master’s in Teaching at the UCL Institute of Education, University of London.

Before moving to London, she lived in the Philippines where she was ensconced in the rich culture encrusted with dark myths and enchanted tales. She draws inspiration from these in her writing. Although she has lived indifferent places and experienced different cultures, she always enjoyed the constancy of writing in her life. Her favourite authors include John Milton, Virginia Woolf and James Joyce.

Her latest book is the YA fantasy romance, Heartbound.

For More Information

Visit P.I. Alltraine’s website.

Connect with P.I. on Facebook and Twitter.

Find out more about P.I. at Goodreads.

Contact P.I.