Books, fantasy, paranormal romance, Reviews, Romance

A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

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I received an ARC of this book which will be released on August 2,2016. I was attracted to the cover, which looks amazing, and the story. Let me give you the blurb, then my opinion:

Catalia “Cat” Fisa is a powerful clairvoyant known as the Kingmaker. This smart-mouthed soothsayer has no interest in her powers and would much rather fly under the radar, far from the clutches of her homicidal mother. But when an ambitious warlord captures her, she may not have a choice…

Griffin is intent on bringing peace to his newly conquered realm in the magic-deprived south. When he discovers Cat is the Kingmaker, he abducts her. But Cat will do everything in her power to avoid her dangerous destiny and battle her captor at every turn. Although up for the battle, Griffin would prefer for Cat to help his people willingly, and he’s ready to do whatever it takes to coax her…even if that means falling in love with her. 

I’m disappointed in this book, but I feel it’s very important for me to explain why. This book was fantastic, it had a great world that was different enough that I was intrigued but familiar enough that I wasn’t confused. It had great characters, Cat was saucy and powerful but not awful, Griffen was attractive and strong, but not like so many main characters I read today, you know willing to do anything the girl wants even though he’s suppose to be all powerful and constantly telling her how beautiful and amazing her existence is (aka he wasn’t an ass kisser). The other characters were great too, they made me smile and hope to learn more about them. And then came the story, you had a circus, magic ropes, magical creatures, crazy Alpha queens, Giants, dragons, oh and Greek gods! And just to make it interesting a whole bunch of fighting with some sexual tension. It was amazing!! So why 3 stars? Why the disappointment? Cause that was the first 50% of the book. Literally (I have a counter on my kindle), the last 50%…nothing. I mean no story, no plot, no more character development (except for the eventual HEA which wasn’t even exciting because I was already bored) even the new characters felt shallow and boring. And the story, you know with the dragons, sword fights, Greek gods, etc…it just came to a screeching halt.

I’m sad because this book could have been one of those that dances the line and you don’t know if it’s fantasy or PNR you just know it’s good. Instead it just turned into another plotless romance.

I’m hoping to read something else from this author someday because I feel like she’s got a blockbuster in her I just didn’t feel this was it.

Books, fantasy, great reads, indie author, Out of the Box Blogs, paranormal romance, Romance, scifi, steampunk, Urban Fantasy

$25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

It finally happened! We hit 10,000 views on our blog! First we want to say thanks to everyone. But really what better way to say thank you than a $25 Amazon gift card! We wish we could give everyone one but we are too poor for that so it’s giveaway time. You guys are awesome, we love you..Hope you win!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/479697332/?

Books, fantasy, great reads, paranormal romance, Romance, Urban Fantasy

Cover Reveal:Archangel’s Heart by Nalini Singh

 

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It’s here!! The new cover for the 9th book in the Guild Hunter series. It will be released on November 1st so preorder your copy now right from Nalini’s website http://bit.ly/28P4Qel

Or add it to your goodreads page https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26218178-archangel-s-heart

Want to know more? Here is the blurb:

One of the most vicious archangels in the world has disappeared. No one knows if Lijuan is dead or has chosen to Sleep the long sleep of an immortal. But with her lands falling into chaos under a rising tide of vampiric bloodlust, a mysterious and ancient order of angels known as the Luminata calls the entire Cadre together to discuss the fate of her territory.

Accompanying her archangelic lover Raphael to the Luminata compound, guild hunter-turned-angel Elena senses that all is not as it seems. Secrets echo from within the stone walls of the compound, and the deeper Elena goes, the uglier the darkness. But neither Raphael nor Elena is ready for the brutal truths hidden within—truths that will change everything Elena thinks she knows about who she is…

Nothing will ever be the same again.

And a little bit about the amazing Nalini herself plus and adorable picture:

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Nalini Singh is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Psy-Changeling, Guild Hunter, and Rock Kiss series. She lives and works in beautiful New Zealand, and is passionate about writing.

If you’d like to explore her other books, you can find lots of excerpts and free short stories on her website. Slave to Sensation is the first book in the Psy-Changeling series, while Angels’ Blood is the first book in the Guild Hunter series. The Rock Kiss books are all stand alone and can be read in any order.

 

 

Books, fantasy, great reads, indie author, paranormal romance, Reviews, Romance

The Final Calling by Angela Colsin

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The Final Calling is Book 5 of The Crucible series by Angela Colsin, an indie author whose books in this series I have really enjoyed.

The BlurbProphecies, tyrants, assassins, and exiled royalty aren’t the things Edith Walsh thought she’d be dealing with when her training as a mage apprentice began. Her main focus is becoming an enchantress by completing the Final Calling—a grand scavenger hunt all apprentices undertake to gather items needed to craft their coveted staff and gain eternal life.
This challenge can prove lethal if care isn’t taken to watch one’s steps. But making matters worse, Edith has also been marked for death by the Steward of the Perosian Empire, a tyrant named Rothario, all because of a pesky prophecy made centuries before her birth foretelling his demise at her hands.
So what’s a mage to do? Simple; accept the assistance of a sexy Perosian who’s dealt with Rothario’s minions for as long as he can remember. Yet Isaac wants far more than Edith’s safety—she’s his mate, and his fiery gaze, wicked tongue, and shameless seductions inflame her more intensely than she’s ever known.
Convicted of murdering the imperial family of Perosia, Isaac’s spent centuries as a fugitive hunted by a homeland he doesn’t recall. But his ruthless talent for survival serves him well, and there’s nothing he won’t do to protect Edith from the forces threatening her life, even if it means sacrificing his own.

My thoughts:   I liked this book—a lot.  This book tells the story of Edith, a mage who is on a scavenger hunt to obtain items needed for her staff; and Isaac, a very interesting demon whose story may be more than meets the eye.  Isaac knows Edith is his mate but must wait while she is in mage training, but when it comes to The Calling, he is finished waiting for her, knows she needs his help and is determined to give it. Their adventures leads to a very good story.  I think this book is the strongest in the series so far. The writing is solid and the characters well-developed.  My favorite part of the story actually involves several battle/action scenes that Edith and Isaac and a few others that come along for the ride—I love action scenes and these are well-written.  If you haven’t tried Angela’s writing, give them a try but start back at Book 1 (Blue Moon)—you’ll be glad you did.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.