#BookReview - Sawyer's Rose (The McCades of Cheyenne Book 1) by Kim Turner

Title:  Sawyer's Rose
Author:  Kim Turner
Genre:  Western, Historical Romance
Release Date:  March 18,2016

From the Back Cover:

As if he doesn't have enough to handle between running outlaws out of Cheyenne, keeping his brothers out of trouble, and avenging his father's death, Sheriff Sawyer McCade's meddling mother just dumped a mysterious mail-order bride on his doorstep. One woman can be more trouble than a band of renegades, and while this one has him all stirred up, he'd rather get to the bottom of the story she isn't telling.

Rose Parker had it all—until a web of danger and deceit sends her running to Cheyenne posing as a mail-order bride. Escaping the evils of New York seems sensible until she meets the unsuspecting sheriff who didn't ask for her, has no intention of marrying her, and won't rest until he uncovers her secret and sends her back home.

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

I had the pleasure of meeting Kim Turner, the author of Sawyer's Rose, several months ago and although I received a copy of her book I had not had a chance to read it until today.  I dug it out because I noticed that she has the second book in this series coming out in a couple of weeks and I wanted to be sure to read Book 1 to determine if I wanted to buy Book 2 or not.  Glad I did because I will definitely be reading the next book in this series.

Sawyer's Rose can certainly be read as a stand-alone novel.  I suspect that the next book in the series will focus on one of the other McCade brothers... and I don't even care which one it's about because ALL of the brothers are fascinating.  Kim Turner did an excellent job of developing these fabulous characters.  I was quite surprised to see that this was her debut novel!

The story starts out with Rose arriving in Cheyenne as a mail order bride for the town sheriff and eldest son of the McCades.  But the sheriff didn't know anything about it!  It seems that his mother, Dodge, was the one who had sent for her.  The deceit doesn't end there.  Rose has a secret too.

There was much more going on than just the mail order bride plot.  I don't want to give away any spoilers, but there are gunfights, bar brawls, cattle and river rights, a son that no one knew about and revenge for a murder that happened many years ago.  And my favorite part was the romantic tingles with a love that started with annoyance and grew to be so much more!

There were a few slow spots and a bit of repetition, but all in all this was quite entertaining.

*Disclosure:  A complimentary copy was provided by the author.  Although a review was not required, I was compelled to leave an honest review.  All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

My Rating:

About the Author:

Kim Turner writes western historical romance, and discovered her passion of writing at the age of eight by writing poems, short stories and journals. Kim graduated from Clayton State University with a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing and holds a Master's Degree in Adult Education from Central Michigan University. Working as a registered nurse educator for over twenty-six years, she enjoys studying the medical treatments of the old west as well as keeping up with the latest western movies and television series. While she loves reading anything from highlanders to pirates, she claims to have an unquenchable thirst for the American Cowboy when choosing her reads. Kim lives south of Atlanta with her husband and calls her greatest accomplishment the birth of one daughter and the adoption of another from China-neither of which came easy. Kim is a member of Romance Writers of America and Georgia Romance Writers and calls her critique group from Southside Scribes the best thing that ever happened to her writing, that and a pretty wonderful group of beta readers. Kim's Motto: It's All About A Cowboy and the Woman He Loves.

#BookBlitz & #Giveaway: Digging in the Stars by Katherine Blakeney

Digging in the Stars
Katherine Blakeney
Published by: Blaze Publishing
Publication date: March 28th 2017
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

A lost ancient civilization and the tomb of a legendary king lie buried beneath centuries of ash on the volcanic planet Thror, but that’s not the only reason sixteen-year-old Carter has tricked her Archaeology of Outer Space class into coming here. Her best friend Conrad has just disappeared on a trip to Thror, leaving behind little more than a broken vintage camera. The strange and disturbing photographs she manages to extract make her suspect Conrad’s disappearance is somehow connected to the hidden tomb of the last king of Thror.
Unfortunately, the ludicrously over-friendly ‘Furry Giants’ who have taken over the planet’s barren surface would rather offer her cheap souvenirs than answers, and the local officials insist they have no record of Conrad’s existence. Inspired by fear for Conrad’s life and the chance to make the greatest archaeological discovery of the century, Carter and her friends follow Conrad’s footsteps deep into the mountains of Thror’s forbidden Black Zone and launch an illicit excavation.
Coded messages, stunning ancient ruins, and clues left by Conrad himself begin to surface as the young archaeologists fall victim to an alarming series of accidents staged by the increasingly hostile Furry Giants. Piecing together a history of dictatorship, terrorism and disguise, Carter glimpses the horrors beyond Thror’s flamboyant façade and startling revelations about the friend she thought she knew. The masks of Thror hide devastating secrets, and the golden tomb buried deep in the frozen core may claim the lives of everyone she loves.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

—

TEASERS:

“Please remain seated as we begin our descent into Thror. Welcome, and enjoy your stay.”
The time for action was at hand, and she still didn’t feel ready. The flight felt much shorter than she’d expected.
The girls exchanged bewildered looks across the aisles. Stunned silence. They couldn’t have missed that final announcement. Avoiding Professor P’s gaze, Carter still felt the look of shock the professor shot across the cabin. Once, Carter had seen herself arriving on Thror as a great explorer. Instead, she would be remembered as a half-baked deceiver and kidnapper. The Throrians would have called her a scent-changer.

* * *

Carter had been so close to her goal. She saw that crack with her own eyes, a portal into a lost ancient world, chambers filed with carvings, images that had never been recorded or reproduced. The greatest discovery of this or any other century, waiting less than twenty feet away. Waiting for her. And Conrad had been there first. The moment she thought it, she felt guilty. She was allowing herself to get carried away by archaeological fervor, mentally competing with Conrad, when he might have paid a terrible price for his discovery.

Author Bio:
I am an author and independent filmmaker/stop motion animator with a BFA in Stop Motion Animation from the School of Visual Arts in New York and a PhD in Film Studies from the University of Edinburgh (Scotland, UK). My thesis focuses on silent film adaptations of late nineteenth and early twentieth century Gothic novels, with a special emphasis on psychological and aesthetic representations of the Monster figure. My debut novel, a YA Sci-Fi adventure called Digging in the Stars, is forthcoming with Blaze Publishing on March 28, 2017.
Raised by an Egyptologist mother, I grew up among museums and excavation sites, where I developed an unhealthy fascination with ancient art and mythology. I divide my time between bringing 12”-tall people to life in my studio in Edinburgh, excavating ancient tombs in the Egyptian desert, and researching Gothic literary monsters in silent film. I have worked for more than 10 years as photographer and videographer for the South Asasif Conservation Project, an archaeological expedition in Egypt and I have published numerous articles on film and archaeology.
I write, direct, design, and animate short films and commissioned projects in my studio in Edinburgh, Scotland and have been employed as an animator, screenwriter, modelmaker and art director for studios in Edinburgh, South Korea and Qatar. I have produced commissioned projects for IdeasTap in London, the Arts Trust Scotland and the British Library. My shorts have won competitions and screened at various international festivals including the Edinburgh Fringe. In 2015, my short film The Burglar With the Yellow Hand was nominated for an Arts and Humanities Research Council (UK) Research in Film Award.
You can find out more about all aspects of my work on my website, http://yorwickcastle.com
My new blog http://KatherineBlakeneyStardigger.blogspot.com is all about Digging in the Stars and my references and inspirations as a writer.

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Book Review: Sweet Girl by Cristin Harber

Title:  Sweet Girl
Author:  Cristin Harber
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Release Date:  July 7, 2014

About the Book:

Full Length Contemporary Romance and New Adult Prequel by NYT Bestselling Author...

Nicola Hart grew up under the heels of her older brother and his sexy best friend, Cash Garrison. Years of ignoring her spark with Cash has transformed their friendship into a slow burning sizzle. One night with him could ruin everything. Or it could be more than she ever dreamed. They play. They flirt. But they haven't crossed the line because too much is at stake. Family. Friendship. And the deepest kind of love that she'd have to be crazy to walk away from.

HE CAN'T STAY AWAY FROM

She's his best friend's little sister. The definition of hands off. Cash has tried to ignore her for years. Those innocent eyes and her smile that screams kiss-me-if-you-dare... Instead, he's looked at every pretty little thing who's crossed his path, all to ignore the girl he seems destined to want. But when his hard partying ways get old and everyone at school is interested in Nicola, it's time to stake a claim. To make Nicola his girl, no matter the risks, and hold the hand of the one he really loves.

Sweet Girl is the novel-length prequel to bestselling standalone novel Garrison's Creed in the Titan series. Each book in the Titan series is a standalone with a happily ever after.

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

Sigh.  I had such hopes for this book, but sadly... it just didn't cut it.  This was not much more than a series of frat parties and oversexed college students, with the exception of Nicola, the one sweet girl who was somewhat naive. Now, I have nothing against sex!  But the story here would probably appeal more to teenagers... except that the crude language and abundant sex would not be appropriate for teenagers to read.  There were some sweet romantic moments... as far as college student type sweet and romantic is concerned.  Lots of tingles and forbidden love and all that.

This is apparently a series.  And the story line may get better as the series continues.  There was some interesting drama toward the end that made the book more worthwhile.  But then it ended and the reader has to buy the next book in the series to see what happens.  As for me, I'll just pretend there is eventually a happily-ever-after and move on.

Here is my dilemma...  I listened to the audio version of this book and I can't even begin to tell you how many times I was confused as to who was talking, or IF they were talking, or IF they were just thinking to themselves.  It was weird.  Way too much head hopping.  Who's point of view was I listening to?  It made me dizzy.  Not sure if the printed book was as confusing, but the head hopping was definite.  Perhaps a better editor would have caught this.

Sorry I can't give this a higher rating.  I really wanted to like it more.

My Rating:

About the Author:

Cristin Harber is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author of the Titan, Delta, and Only series. 

Her series live in the same "world", and are steamy romantic suspense, military romance, and new adult. If you like one series, you'll love another!

Readers voted her onto Amazon's Top Picks for Debut Romance Authors in 2013, and her Titan series was both #1 romantic suspense and military romance bestseller, and she was twice awarded an Amazon All-Star. Reviewers have shared such praise as, "If you love Lori Foster or Maya Banks, read this series!" and "Julie Ann Walker and Cherry Adair fans will go crazy for Cristin Harber."

Stay in touch for new release and exclusive info:

Newsletter: bit.ly/11aWFzM or text TITAN to 66866

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cristinharberauthor
Team Titan Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1411308265771683/ 

#Book Blitz and #Book Review: Short Story Pro Market 2017 by TC Michael

About the Book

Title: Short Story Pro Market 2017

Author: TC Michael

Genre: Nonfiction Reference / Guidebook

Short Story Pro Market is a reference book created to assist you in the publication process of your short stories. It will help guide you in finding a publisher by providing you with the necessary information needed. There are over 150 publishers listed inside. Think of this book as a "tool", one you can constantly look back on with any questions you may have. This book is designed to provide as detailed information about each publisher as possible, as long as the information is necessary in submitting to a given publisher.

As indicated by the title, this book contains ONLY professional paying markets, which have been verified by their websites and other online information. 

Short Story Pro Market provides authors a huge head start in finding a publisher by helping you avoid agonizing over countless grueling hours of online searches, comparisons, queries, and complications. You save precious time by having everything in one place from publisher names and websites to the accepted document format. It's all inside.

My Review:

This book is an absolute MUST for any author or anyone even thinking about writing short stories.  Short Story Pro Market 2017 provides a list of potential publishers in various genres helping you avoid those countless hours of online searches and comparisons.  Only top paying publishers are listed.  Also, tips on how to submit your short story and other bits you need to know are all right here.  Easy to use and understand!

I highly recommend this book to anyone thinking about writing short stories.

Note:  A complimentary advanced copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.   

My Rating:

Author Bio:

TC Michael was born and raised in small town USA where he grew up with a large family. He's always been an epic daydreamer with a wild imagination. He currently lives in northern Utah where he's working on his next great novel and enjoying life. When he's not writing, he's hanging out with family, reading, or enjoying the outdoors. TC has wanted to be an author his whole life, but never thought it would happen. Now, he is working hard on making his dream come true.

Links:

Buy Links: Amazon 

Author Links:

   

Book Excerpts:

1.      Short Story Pro Market is a reference book created to assist you in the publication process of your short stories. It will help guide you in finding a publisher by providing you with the necessary information needed. There are over 150 publishers listed inside. Think of this book as a “tool”, one you can constantly look back on with any questions you may have. This book is designed to provide as detailed information about each publisher as possible, as long as the information is necessary in submitting to a given publisher.

Inside you will find a breakdown of information by genre. Within each genre you will find a list of professional paying short story markets in alphabetical order. Under every publisher, there will be a series of requirements and requests made by the publisher. This is where the details come in handy to you; these are the stipulations the publishers want you to adhere to before they consider your work. Many publishers are lenient, and occasionally accept things outside of what is listed, but, for the most part, keep within the boundaries. Also, you will notice some publishers are listed under multiple genres. This is because those publishers accept several genres.

As indicated by the title, this book contains ONLY professional paying markets, which have been verified by their websites and other online information. All publishers listed will publish short stories; however, there are a few that may publish novellas, flash fiction, articles, and poetry. The payment rate on those may be different and may not fall under the professional paying category. Publishers listed are primarily English speaking publishers and want English rights. This includes, but is not limited to: North American, Canadian, Australian, UK, European, etc.

2.      This reference guide differs from other popular guides in several ways. First and foremost, this book is narrowed down specifically for short story writers who only want to submit to publishers who pay a professional rate. This means that lower paying markets are not listed. Writers should always submit to the best and highest paying publishers first. Short Story Pro Market is written to be short, because I do not list novel publishers, poetry publishers, specific trade journals, contests or literary agencies. It is organized for short story publishers only. Also, you will not find writing tips, author brand information, promotional material, etc. This makes it easier for you to get straight to the submissions without being bogged down by extra information, which is often unnecessary in short story submissions. Due to this book being short and directly to the point, it is cheaper than competitors’ guides.

Inside you will find SFWA (Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America), MWA (Mystery Writers of America), and other pro publishers outside of these group. Some publishers are working on becoming part of an organization but haven’t reached all the requirements yet. If the publisher listed is part of an organization, it will be mentioned under the publisher’s information.

3.      Short Story Pro Market provides authors a huge head start in finding a publisher by helping you avoid agonizing over countless grueling hours of online searches, comparisons, queries, and complications. You save precious time by having everything in one place from publisher names and websites to the accepted document format. It’s all inside.

This book has a caveat to the pay scale, and thus limits the list to only the publishers that follow it. That is every publisher must pay their authors at least six cents a word or forty dollars a page. Both numbers exist because some publishers, or more specifically genres, may prefer one method or the other. Also, some publishers may not pay over a certain capped word count, so pay attention to that detail, but if available, it will be listed under the publisher.

Book Review: A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

Title:  A Dog's Purpose
Author:  W. Bruce Cameron
Genre:  Fiction
Release Date:  July 6, 2010

From the Back Cover:

A Dog’s Purpose—the #1 New York Times bestseller—is heading to the big screen! Based on the beloved bestselling novel by W. Bruce Cameron, A Dog’s Purpose, from director Lasse Hallström (The Cider House Rules, Dear John, The 100-Foot Journey), shares the soulful and surprising story of one devoted dog (voiced by Josh Gad) who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love. The family film told from the dog’s perspective also stars Britt Robertson, KJ Apa, John Ortiz, Peggy Lipton, Juliet Rylance, Luke Kirby, Pooch Hall and Dennis Quaid. A Dog’s Purpose is produced by Gavin Polone (Zombieland, TV’s Gilmore Girls). The film from Amblin Entertainment and Walden Media will be distributed by Universal Pictures. Screenplay by W. Bruce Cameron & Cathryn Michon and Audrey Wells and Maya Forbes & Wally Wolodarsky.

Heartwarming, insightful, and often laugh-out-loud funny, A Dog's Purpose is not only the emotional and hilarious story of a dog's many lives, but also a dog's-eye commentary on human relationships and the unbreakable bonds between man and man's best friend. This moving and beautifully crafted story teaches us that love never dies, that our true friends are always with us, and that every creature on earth is born with a purpose.

Bailey's story continues in A Dog's Journey, the charming New York Times and USA Today bestselling direct sequel to A Dog's Purpose.

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

Looking for something delightful to read?  Something that will make you smile and laugh out loud?  Something light and fun and heartwarming, yet has moments that will bring you to tears?  Then this is the book for you!  It will make you look at your dog in a whole new light!

I purchased the Audible version of this book after it was recommended to me by a friend one day as we walked our dogs.  I love audio books!  In addition to loving this book, I loved the narrator.  He was fantastic as he talked through Toby, Bailey, Ellie, Bear and Buddy, taking on each persona.

Speaking from the dog's point of view, Toby is a pup born on the streets and ends up in a shelter and eventually put to sleep.  He is reborn in a puppy mill, escapes and is picked up by a man who leaves him in a hot car only to be rescued by a lady who takes him home with her. Bailey, as he is then called, is a golden retriever who grows up with his boy, Ethan.  The love and devotion that develops between Bailey and Ethan is beautifully written and quite heartwarming.  His next life is that of a German Shepard rescue dog named Ellie.  And finally he comes back as Buddy where life has gone full circle and he realizes his purpose in life.

I loved, loved, loved this book!  It is beautifully written, the characters are well defined and the visuals in my head were as if I were right there!  I never saw the movie, and doubt that I will look into it.  There is no way a movie could compare to the delight I had in listening to this audio book.  I cannot say enough about the talent of the narrator.  He was absolutely FANTASTIC!

This book is heartily recommended to anyone who has ever owned a dog, and especially to anyone who has ever lost a dog.  When the story ended, I swooped up my little dog into my arms, patted her head and said "Good girl, Ming".  She wagged her tail.

My Rating:

About the Author:

W. Bruce Cameron is the New York Times bestselling author of 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, The Dog Master, and the A Dog's Purpose series. In 2011 he was named Columnist of the Year by the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. He lives in California.

#Book Blitz: Safe Haven by Sheri Lyn

Nothing in Phoenix’s life ever went right. He never knew where his next meal would come from or if he would be safe going home at night. Desperate to escape, he trusts the wrong person. A different kind of evil wrapped in hope led him into the claws of a prison he might not survive. 

Gryphon took a chance on a new life and ended up a captive. To his shock, he wasn’t alone. Twenty boys experimented on physically and mentally, few would ever see the light of day again. 

A family forged in the fires of hell. Escape came, but at the price of losing more of themselves than they realized. They must depend on each other and new friends. No-one is expecting to find love, but love may find them anyway. 

Their mission is clear: Find the people who did this to them and destroy them. 

But some missions aren't always so cut and dry...

Buy Links: Amazon 

About the Author:

Hi I'm Sheri Lyn. I live in Florida with the love of my life, my dog Koda a Corgi/Dwarf Chow mix. I love living here and couldn't imagine living anywhere else. 

I just started my journey into the indie book world. I have books in several genres in the works. I'm an avid reader who kept dreaming of a story that wanted to be told and that's where my first book was born.

When I'm not reading or proofing, I'm at the evil day job where my sanity is tested on a daily basis. My sarcastic quips can provide a much needed break until I can return home to Koda and books, my two joys.

I hope you sign up for my newsletter for excerpts, giveaways and fun. Sign up for my newsletter at http://facebook.us11.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=d14842e0564abbff078763a9d&id=250d0d1bcf

Come visit me on Facebook. I love to meet new readers.

Fb - https://facebook.com/Sheri-Lyn-Author

Twitter - @sherilynauthor

Website - sherilynauthor.com

Book Review: A Season to Kill by Michael Mucci

Title:  A Season to Kill: A Chris DeAngelo Novel (Book One)
Author:  Michael Mucci
Genre:  Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Crime
Release Date:  2nd Edition, January 13, 2017

About the Book:

Newly appointed Sheriff Chris DeAngelo was working what he believed to be a routine case, until he finds a clue that points to the latest in a string of murders, and confirms that there's a killer on the loose. With the small town of Macon, Pennsylvania now in a panic, will DeAngelo uncover the clues in time to prevent another murder? Or will his attempt to stop the killer make him the next victim?

A 2016 Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist

A 2016 Readers Favorite Honorable Mention winner - Murder Mystery

"Author Mucci sets up a juicy murder mystery, opening with a coldblooded murder and an early indication of conspiracy...the novel's latter half really ignites."  (Kirkus Reviews)

"In this page-turning thriller, Michael Mucci will gratifyingly delight your senses, make you question conspiracy or coincidence, and intrigue your curiosity, while whetting the appetite for a chilling well told narrative. A Season to Kill left the reader championing the new sheriff in town." (Manhattan Book Review)

"Kudos to Mucci for creating a brilliantly written and truly suspenseful debut novel! Indubitably, A Season to Kill is not only earmarked to be a highly popular and best-selling read, but also one story that this reviewer would love to see on the Silver Screen."  (San Francisco Book Review)

"A captivating crime thriller bursting with rural flavor and hard hitting revelations. Highly recommended for all crime & mystery fans, but especially for those of the Justified book & TV series. 

You'll savor DeAngelo's discoveries through his own eyes as he fumbles and second-guesses his way through them en route to a compelling character arc.Coupled with a pace that is perfectly suited to both the character and the rural setting, this book - reminiscent of those in Elmore Leonard's Raylan Givens series - is highly recommended." (BestThrillers.com)

"Michael Mucci's police procedural novel, A Season to Kill, is an outstanding mystery that kept me captivated and eagerly reading from cover to cover. A Season to Kill is a debut novel to be excited about, and this reviewer is eagerly anticipating the author's follow-up to this book. An impressive debut novel indeed! Michael Mucci's police procedural, A Season to Kill, is most highly recommended."  5/5 Stars (Readers'Favorite)

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

This story pulls you in from the first few pages.  Michael Mucci does a great job placing the reader right smack dab in the middle of Small Town USA.  Actually, it's Macon, Pennsylvania... but with all the characteristics you'd find in a small town anywhere that hunters show up in numbers during hunting season.

When the Sheriff of Macon suddenly dies, his spot in the department is filled by Chris DeAngelo.  Known for his drinking and not exactly who you would think of as being the new sheriff, Chris begins to take his job seriously and soon starts putting pieces together regarding a string of "disappearances" over the past eleven years.  Although it becomes fairly apparent to the reader as to who is responsible for these disappearances, it seems to take Chris quite a while to figure things out.  Perhaps that's because of his drinking problem... I'm just not sure.

There was quite a bit of repitition and needless wording in the first half of the book, but things began to pick up a bit in the second half.  All in all, it was a pretty good read.

* Disclosure:  A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author.  Although a review was not required, I was compelled to provide one.  All comments, thoughts and opinions are my own.

My Rating:

About the Author:

Michael Mucci, an award-winning author has spent his entire adult life traveling and exploring the world. Being a zealous adventurer and explorer, he has lived on 3 continents, and has traveled to over 40 countries.

From rafting down the Amazon in a dug-out canoe, panning for gold in Alaska, or going on safari in Africa , Michael has enjoyed learning and participating in different cultures around the world.

He grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania where the people and places have inspired his novels and now calls southwest Florida home.

Book Review: Selected (The Zaratan Trilogy - Book One) by Evelyn Lederman

Title:  Selected (The Zaratan Trilogy: Book One)
Author:  Evelyn Lederman
Genre:  Science Fiction, YA
Release Date:  May 30, 2016

From the Back Cover:

Destruction.... A show of force... And a warning...   
Three isolated towns across the world have been destroyed in a show of force by alien invaders. It is a clear warning of what will occur if their demands are not fulfilled. The fulfillment: Human children between the ages of twelve through fifteen years.   Kara Harper is an unremarkable fourteen-year-old girl who is selected by the aliens. She will be physically and socially orientated during the six months it will take to arrive at the planet Zaratan. The girl who liked the safety of being invisible, cannot help but stand out.   Matt Sparks, the boy next door, is also selected. Kara has had a crush on him for as long as she can remember. He vows to safeguard her. The closer they get to their destination, the more difficult it becomes to live up to his promise. Kara is unsure if she has the strength to withstand the trials and physical changes she is forced to go through. In a new life, Kara will be torn. Will she be drawn in by an alien boy who has shown interest in her or by the powerful patriarch who sees her as the future of his race?

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

Several months ago I received a complimentary copy of Selected from the author, Evelyn Lederman, in a gift basket while attending Authors After Dark, a book convention in Savannah.  Life got busy and I didn't have a chance to read it, but every time I looked at it I was fascinated by the gorgeous cover.  Well I finally picked it up and once I started reading I simply could not put it down!

I'm not that into Young Adult novels or Sci-Fi novels, but  I was TOTALLY CAPTIVATED by this book, the characters and the world created by Evelyn Lederman.

With entire cities being destroyed by alien forces, the earth's only salvation was to send their children between the ages of twelve to fifteen to be interviewed by these aliens with a select number being chosen and taken to the aliens' home planet of Zaratan.  Kara and her neighbor Matt, a boy she has had a crush on since they were young children, are among those taken.

The trials these children had to endure were enough to keep me on the edge of my seat.  Compassion and budding romance was intertwined throughout the book.  I loved it and cannot wait to read the next book in this series.  And now that I have discovered the writing talent of Evelyn Lederman, I cannot wait to read more of her books in other genre's.

* Disclosure:  A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author.  Although a review was not required, I was compelled to provide one.  All comments, thoughts and opinions are my own.

My Rating:

About the Author:

I clearly remember a conversation I had with my sister and a friend about infinite parallel universes. We were outside Sedona, Arizona. 

All of a sudden 5 young women started talking in my mind. That was the start of 'The World's Apart' series. 'The Chameleon Soul Mate' was published in August 2014, followed by 'The Crystal Telepath' in December 2014. 

The floodgates have opened and I have more books in the Worlds Apart series as well as other series coming. I’m loving the ride!

#BookBlitz - Birthright (The Legacy series, Book 1) by Jessica Ruddick

Title: Birthright
Author: Jessica Ruddick
Genre: YA Supernatural
Release Date: March 20th 2017

From the Back Cover:

How do you live with yourself when you decide who dies?

Ava Parks would have killed for an iPod for her sixteenth birthday. Anything would have been better than coming into her birthright of being a seeker for the Grim Reaper, an arrangement made by her fallen angel ancestor in exchange for his re-admittance to heaven. And she isn’t just any seeker—she finds souls that have the potential for becoming angels and sentences them to death. A year and two souls into her role as a seeker with her conscience overflowing with guilt, Ava comes up with a plan to thwart the system. When it goes awry, she is forced to submit the name of a classmate, Cole Fowler, an ornery, rough around the edges guy who always seems to come to her rescue, whether she likes it or not. Her feelings for Cole prompt her to intervene, and she saves him from death, upsetting the Grim Reaper’s agenda. 

While Ava schemes to find a way to save Cole, she learns he has some secrets of his own. She lets him believe he is protecting her, and not the other way around, until a final showdown with the Grim Reaper forces Ava to make choices Cole may never forgive.

  

Birthright can be purchased at any of the following retailers:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

About the Author:

Jessica Ruddick is a 2014 Golden Heart finalist for her new adult novel, Letting Go, which was inspired by her own college experiences. She lives in Virginia and is married to her college sweetheart—their first date was a fraternity toga party (and nothing inspires love like a toga, right?). When she doesn’t have her nose in a book or her hands on a keyboard, she can be found wrangling her two rambunctious sons, taming two rowdy but lovable rescue dogs, and battling the herd of dust bunnies that has taken up residence in her home. To learn more about Jessica, please visit her website at www.jessicaruddick.com.

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GIVEAWAY:

A Kindle copy of the Author’s first award-winning book, Letting Go.

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