Observation City Review and Giveaway

Observation City by Kerry Louise Connelly

Book Synopsis

   HAVE YOU EVER thought how much the idea of superstition could be really impacting our lives? Or  the concept that we may all very well have be born with a karmic tally board of which we can accumulate and loose points on through life?
OR have you just had a rubbish chain of first dates,ever been called 'snappy', had an unattainable love or has someone ever asked to buy your knickers?

IN this often HILARIOUS and FASCINATING look into the ideas of life and the behaviours of the people in it, Kerry Connelly manages to ask questions you may never have even thought about!
FROM dead end jobs to a woman's resume and taking control of your dreams...'Observation City' has been noted as a 'Charismatic companion for a fun, interesting and highly entertaining read.'

Full of witty reflections and situations relatable to women and men alike. 
'Observation City' is one light and enjoyable read.

Lisa's Review - 4 out of 5 stars

I will hold my hands up and honestly say that when I first started reading Observation City, I thought 'this isn't a book for me'. Simply because it is not the the type of book I have read before. But  few pages in and I had my mind changed, and taught myself a lesson. If I don't try something new, how will I know if I like it?

Observation City is 21 pieces split into 3 catagories, Love, Attitude and Life.  Each piece looks at a different aspect to life from a realistic opinion, not some romantic, movie style opinion.

After reading Observation City for a while, I began to realise what this book reminded me of. If you ever watched Sex and the City, at the end of an episode, Carrie would sit by her computer and we would hear her musing over what she had learnt that episode. This book had me imagining Kerry Louise Connelly in a similar way, only her musings are much more realistic, but also hilariously funny, and in some cases scarily accurate!

I found myself laughing out loud, or nodding my head vigorously in agreement at some of the pieces. I will admit to reading some pieces and disagreeing, then finding myself mulling over it and thinking 'oh yes, thats so true!'

My only downside to Observation City  was that I wish it had been longer!

Giveaway!

Kerry Louise Connelly has been terrific and offered us a brilliant giveaway prize of a signed copy of Observation City! It's simple to do, and free to enter. All you have to do is follow the link below and like Kerry's Facebook page to gain some entries, plus if you would like to gain some extra entries there are a few other ways to do so. The competition will run for 3 weeks and then we will announce the winner! Good Luck!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/596b2c0/

About the Author

Kerry, a naturally gifted writer is an English born, Australian author.
Having worked previously in radio, journalism and retail management she now enjoys dual roles as an education assistant and author.
Having studied film and television and being an avid reader, she enjoys autobiographies,memoirs and loves a good tv show and movie.

Her first title 'Observation City' is a collection of witty reflections relatable to situations in life and the behaviours of the people in it. Currently avalable world wide.

Her second title 'Shaken: A story of emotional abuse and depression' is due for release in the coming months.

Links

http://kerrylconnelly.wix.com/authorklc

http://www.facebook.com/authorKerryLouiseConnelly

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17403149-observation-city

http://www.amazon.com/Observation-City-Kerry-Louise-Connelly/dp/1482333902/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364382337&sr=8-1&keywords=observation+city

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/observation-city-miss-kerry-louise-connelly/1114677754?ean=9781482333909

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Observation-City-Miss-Kerry-Louise-Connelly/9781482333909

Pulse Blog Tour

Pulse by H.J. Daly
Book Synopsis.

She looked into their non-existent faces and felt them smile in anticipation.

The light is fading fast and Esa must find shelter before the deviants come crawling out of the woodwork. From the moment she steps into the darkened room her life takes a terrifying turn and she is pulled away from her post apocalyptic world.

With a horde of goblins close on her heels, she enters a magical realm in search of answers. Why can she sense magic and why is a powerful sorcerer determined to end her life?

Excerpt #1

Esa tasted the blood in her mouth and the sting across her face. Fog clung to her mind and she tried to concentrate.

“Let’s try again. What does she look like?”

“Me, only not as pretty.” Spitting blood from her mouth Esa managed a smirk.

“Now that’s the girl I remember, pity Thomas isn’t here to see this. Wonder where he’s hiding?”

“I don’t know.” Her tone was full of bitterness as she let numerous images pop into her head. She would die here and he would never know, would never care.

“Oh, this just gets better.” Amy broke into Esa’s thoughts. “He dumped you here with this lot, it’s a shame I don’t have time for some real fun.” The tip of the dagger glowed when she pulled it from the fire and watched the prisoners heave at their bindings. “Tell you what,” she whispered in Esa’s ear, “once I’m through here, I’ll find Thomas tell him how you begged and screamed his name before Urgath had a little fun and then I’ll have great pleasure in watching him die.” She watched the pain fill Esa’s eyes and smiled. “Now where were we … ah yes, tell me where she is.”

Amy grabbed Esa’s bound hand, pulling her fingers forward. She braced herself as the blade touched her skin, the heat searing her knuckles. This time only a moan escaped her lips. She was too exhausted for anything else.

“I said where is she?”

The blade continued down her already bloody arm. Heat rose together with the scream that had been building in her throat. The prisoners moved as one, twisting and turning as they fought with the guards as best they could.

Ignoring her own pain Esa watched the other prisoners as the guards started to push them back. Even bound they gave all they could and in return the guards had drawn weapons and were hacking at those closest to them. She couldn’t let these people die for her, she didn’t deserve it. “Stop!” the shout carried over the clearing. “Enough, I’ll tell you everything just stop this. Please.”

“Esa no, don’t say a word, we’re not worth it,” Flo yelled as the guards continued to slash away.

“Stop!” Amy’s shout resounded around the clearing and the guards backed off. “Is this going to be something special?” Amy’s blade rested playfully on Esa’s throat and she could smell the burning of her own skin. “This will make a nice addition to the others,” Amy continued as she swiped Esa’s hair to the side and indicated to the snaking scar twisting around her neck. “That must have been a mighty beating. You’re always in the wrong place at the wrong time, aren’t you?”

Excerpt #2 

Thomas stopped as he reached the wooden door. It stood slightly ajar and he could see Esa nestled in the corner, her back to him. He stifled a gasp as he caught sight of her skin. At the bottom of her ribs he clearly saw an old knife wound, across her shoulder blades were a number of what looked like cigarette burns, and line upon line of marks like wires. Some old, silvery in the light and others still red and puckered. The skin had attempted to grow over large gashes through the years, but nothing could hide the evidence of a brutal attack. What drew his attention was the huge scar that started at her waist and snaked its way up her spine and eventually wrapped itself around her neck.

About the author (taken from her blog)

Writing was something I always enjoyed but if you ask my high school teachers they may argue that enjoying is not the same as being any good.

Once I became a mum. I made up stories and poems, with my kids. I remember one about a flea in a cup of tea ... We even played them out sometimes, the accents I could never quite manage.

Writing is one of those things that I took a little more seriously, once the kids went to school full time. It kept me sane, those voices in my head actually became useful.

It was never up there as a job but can't say anything ever was. There was a time that I traveled Europe dancing in Latin American competitions but at my age my legs can't take it, though I have been caught doing a foxtrot across the kitchen before now.

I wrote my first book pretty quickly but then it sat in a draw for a long time. I'm glad someone was daft ... , I mean brave enough to take it on.

Purchase links

Amazon US  Amazon UK

Follower Links

Facebook  Goodreads

Broken Gates Cover reveal and Giveaway

Broken Gates by D.T. Dyllin

Book two in The P.J. Stone Gates Trilogy

Publisher: Dragonfairy Press

Cover Artist: Lindsay Tiry

Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance

Release Date: May 24th, 2013

 Blurb:

P.J. Stone is a Seer who saw too little, too late.

In the past, her biggest worries were boys and school—but war has a way of changing things. Now, the alien Riders are trying to overrun the world. As the last of their kind, P.J. and her friends must find a way to save humanity before there’s nothing left to save.

After choosing a mate, P.J. hoped she'd have time to enjoy her love life. But with everything changing so quickly and major secrets revealed, who knows what the future will bring?

Because D.T. Dyllin is so awesome she has set up this giveaway for you all. So don't forget to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follower links

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

Just for the Summer blog tour.

Top Ten List of Fun Things to do At Lake Bliss Just for the Summer

1. Swim with family and friends in Lake Bliss


2. Cookouts on the beach with loved ones


3. Bonfire and roasting marshmallows on the beach at sunset


4. Planting flower beds and bright pots of flowers to place around the cottages


5. Sit outside in a lounge chair with a good book and tall glass of iced tea


6. Drive through town with the windows down on your way to getting pizza


7. Walk your dog along the beach


8. Play with kids in the sand or push them on the swings


9. Get up early and drink your coffee while sitting on the dock watching the sunrise


10. Kiss the love of your life!

His temptation. Her secret. Their summer. Recently divorced sheriff Matt Reagan is ready for a new relationship, but he doesn’t want short-term—his son needs permanence, and so does Matt’s heart. Unfortunately, it’s the smart-mouthed and sinfully sexy Ms. Sullivan who catches his eye. But when Matt learns Dani’s secrets, will he still want her to stay? Or will her chance for love last just for the summer?




Title: Just for the Summer (Lake Bliss, #1)

Author: Jenna Rutland

Genre: Contemporary

Length: 131 pages

Release Date: March 2013

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-62266-878-6

Imprint: Bliss

My review rating 4 of 5 stars

This book is only 131 pages long, which I didn't know until I came to write my review. 131 pages? Doesn't sound very much does it. How Rutland managed to fit this story into 131 pages is beyond me, but she did and it was great.

From the very first page I felt sorry for Dani despite not knowing the circumstances of the adoption, you knew she regretted it. Which is why of course she had come to the town, to prove that she had done the right thing for her son even if it wasn't the right thing for her. She tries so hard to put some distance between her and Sam and Matt but there were several moments she shared with Sam where my heart broke along with hers and if I was in her position I wouldn't have been able to stay away either.

There were so many moments in this book where my feelings mirrored Dani's, when she finally tells Matt the truth I could barely read, the tears where flowing so much. This I find is a truly remarkable talent, not many authors can draw the reader into the emotions of the character but Jenna Rutland does it beautifully.

About Jenna Rutland: Jenna lives in a small Michigan community with her husband, son and senior cat. Her daughter and son-in-law have recently given Jenna the awesome title of grandmother!

While her days are spent working as a medical transcriptionist, her nights are filled writing contemporary romance--stories of love, laughter and happily ever after. Guess which occupation is more fun?

She is a member of RWA and is active in her local chapter. After several years on the MVRWA board, she now chairs the group's annual fall brainstorming weekend as well as acts as food coordinator for several other events.

Jenna takes pleasure in spending time with her family. She also enjoys reading, gardening and loves the challenge of a new recipe.

Jenna welcomes the chance to connect with writers and readers. Visit her at www.jennarutland.com.

Buy Links: 
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Just-Summer-Lake-Bliss-ebook/dp/B00BQMMT2I/
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/just-for-the-summer-jenna-rutland/1114794882
iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/just-for-the-summer/id616370422?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Books on Board: http://www.booksonboard.com/index.php?BODY=viewbook&BOOK=1482155&TITLE=Just+for+the+Summer&AUTHOR=Jenna+Rutland
Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Just-for-the-Summer/book-JuJU3H8swkCiTdEjFDLEyg/page1.html

Frostbite cover reveal

Frostbite by Lynn Rush

Title: Frostbite (Touch of Frost #1)

Author:  Lynn Rush

Date of Release: September 17^th, 2013

Publisher: Lynn Rush, LLC

Book Blurb:

Amanda gives a whole new meaning to cool…

Amanda Smith is sick of getting chased from town-to-town. So when she lands in tiny Trifle, Arizona, she hopes it’s her last move for a long time. Despite hating the smallness of the town, she settles in and finds a best friend, and even a boyfriend. Normality at its finest.

But for a girl who can shoot snow from her hands and lift a two-ton truck over her head like a bag of feathers—normal is not an option.

The scientists who murdered her mother come barreling into Amanda’s quiet life. She must decide if she’ll run again or stay and fight. The price of either choice might be her life or the lives of those she’s come to love

Author Bio:

Driven to write, Lynn Rush often sees her characters by closing her eyes watching their story unfold in her mind. Lynn Rush is a pen name that is a combination of two sources – Lynn, the first name of her mother-in-law, who passed away and Rush – since the author is a former inline speed skater and mountain biker. All of Rush’s books are dedicated to Lynn, her namesake, and a portion of the proceeds benefits cancer research and awareness.

Follower links

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17619289-frostbite

Website:  http://www.lynnrush.com

Lynn Rush Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.com/Lynn-Rush/e/B005G3NVBQ

Gateway to Reality release and Giveaway

Gateway to Reality by Becca J.Campbell

Book Synopsis.

Talented artists shouldn’t be waiting tables, scraping by, and living mediocre lives. But that’s exactly what art school graduate Wes Teague is doing.

Then he wakes from a bizarre dream, haunted by the sense that his life isn't real. A harrowing truth presents itself--the real world lies in his dreams, not when he's wide awake.

The dream world he enters each night is rich and vibrant. Chicago appears the same on the surface, but chaos runs rampant as gravity, physics, and other laws of nature become fluid, changing unexpectedly. There, Wes's parents, brother, and sister are strangers. His girlfriend Emily doesn’t recognize him. Suddenly Wes longs to return, to unlearn the truth about his dual reality.

Wes would sacrifice almost anything to get back to blissful ignorance in a false world.

But now he has feelings for the real Emily.

My review.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Campbell does an excellent job of building not one but two completely different worlds for us in this book. First off we have the LV (logiverse) which is very similar to our world. And then we have Existence which is completely different. In the LV we follow laws/rules We get up, eat, go to work, have relationships etc. In the Existence we have no rules. We have creators who are able to literally think up new worlds, there are no rules of physics.

The concept of the story is a good one, since discovering his 'rec' (recollection) barrier is broken Wes remembers Existence whilst in the LV which makes it impossible for him to relax and enjoy the LV. And he no longer remembers his life in Existence, leaving it to his friend Andy to walk him through creating worlds and the non rules of Existence. The hardest part for Wes is the realisation that the people he was close to in the LV aren't close to him in Existence (with the exception of Andy). So he tried to change that.

Since I received a copy of this from the author in exchange for an honest review I am going to have to be honest and say I struggled to read this. There was just so much to take in and the jumping back and forth from the LV and Existence didn't make it easier for me to follow. Sometimes when you read a book you take an instant dislike to it for whatever reason, maybe the main character rubs you the wrong way etc, but there was honestly nothing like that here. I cant see why I couldn't enjoy this book properly which is why I'm giving it a 3 star, I didn't hate it, I just couldn't enjoy it.

Giveaway:

Grand prize: Chicago theme prize pack (autographed paperback of Gateway to Reality, wobbly Chicago skyline journal, Cloud Gate button, Gateway to Reality button, Gateway to Reality postcard, Cloud Gate postcard, and Millennium Park postcard. (US only)
Second prize: autographed paperback of Gateway to Reality and Gateway to Reality postcard. (US only)
Third prize: entire Becca J. Campbell eBook library (Gateway to Reality, Foreign Identity, Not the Norm, and Unmasked Alloy). (All countries) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follower links: 

Inspiration for Creation: http://www.beccajcampbell.com

Twitter: @beccajcampbell

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/beccajcampbell

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5287392.Becca_J_Campbell

Ghost Hand review and Author Interview

Ghost Hand by Ripley Patton.

Book Synopsis.

Olivia Black just discovered that her ghost hand, a rare birth defect, can do more than light up a room. It can reach into people and pull things out. Things from the darkest depths of the human psyche never meant to exist in this world.

Olivia can pickpocket the soul.

But she can’t control her ability, or the strange items it extracts, and the only thing between Olivia and the men bent on taking the power of her hand is a boy she barely knows and doesn't trust.

My review 5 of 5 stars

Sometimes when a book sits on my to be read pile for too long I tend to lose interest and put off reading it for a while longer and this one was starting to have the same effect on me. When I agreed to read it, it was because it did sound interesting, so I figured I would just take the plunge and read it. Well, once I started reading I couldn't stop. From the very first few pages I was hooked, so much so that I finished this in a day.

This book starts with action, Olivia's ghost hand starts acting funny and attaches itself to one of her classmates, something it has never done before. From here on in the action is almost non stop. Olivia finds herself trying to figure out the stranger Marcus who insists he is just trying to help her, then she finds herself being stalked by yet another stranger to her town. When she finally gets herself home she discovers she's not even safe there when her home comes under attack from unknown forces. And this is just the beginning of the action.

Authors Bio

Ripley Patton lives in Portland, Oregon with one cat, two teenagers, and a man who want to live on a boat. She is an award-winning short story writer and the author of Ghost Hand, A Young Adult Paranormal Thriller, and the first book in the PSS Chronicles Series. To find out more about Ripley and her writing check out her website: http://www.ripleypatton.com/ or follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am an introvert, and I love M&M's and reality television.

What inspired you to write your first book?

Actually, an agent suggested I write Ghost Hand, but then she went and quit the business before I could finish it, so when I did, I published it myself.

Describe Olivia, your main character, in 5 words.

Snarky, Spunky, Strong-willed, Introverted, and Independent

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book(s)?

What didn't I learn? Since I raised the capital to publish Ghost Hand through Kickstarter, and then published it myself, I learned everything from fundraising, to cover design, to the ins and outs of publishing like buying ISBNs and converting files. It was a huge learning curve, and I enjoyed every minute of it (except the editing-because that sucks).

How long does it take you to write a book?

Ghost Hand took me three years to write, but that process was interrupted by several large earthquakes and a move home from overseas. I have the goal of finishing the first draft of the second book of the series, Ghost Hold, in three months, and so far it's going very well.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

I am very superstitious when it comes to sharing unfinished work. So, no, you'll just have to wait. I don't want to jinx myself.

What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

Wake up, answer e-mail, eat breakfast, then write until lunch. I usually take a walk after lunch, and then it's back to writing until the husband and kids show up asking "What's for dinner?" In the evenings and on weekends, I try to spend time with my family, but I also do some promotion online as well.

What advice would you give to writers breaking into the publishing world?

You will never be perfect. Your work will never be perfect. But do the best work you can, and get it out there anyway. That is what it means to be a writer, and anyone who tells you differently is afraid of something.

What's your go to movie?

Stranger than Fiction. I LOVE that movie.

If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?

The Little Hermit Who Could

What book are you currently reading?

Ghost Hold, the book I'm writing. And that is very good because I have to write it to find out what happens.

Cats or dogs?

Both please.

Pet peeves?

Tap-dancing, Mimes, Clowns, Puppets, and foofy literary writing.

Purchase Links

But it on Amazon UK  or  Amazon US

Dear Cassie

      Dear Cassie by lisa Burnstein

Book Synopsis

What if the last place you should fall in love is the first place that you do?

You’d think getting sent to Turning Pines Wilderness Camp for a month-long rehabilitation “retreat” and being forced to re-live it in this journal would be the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.

You’d be wrong.

There’s the reason I was sent to Turning Pines in the first place: I got arrested. On prom night. With my two best friends, who I haven’t talked to since and probably never will again. And then there’s the real reason I was sent here. The thing I can’t talk about with the guy I can’t even think about.

What if the moment you’ve closed yourself off is the moment you start to break open?

But there’s this guy here. Ben. And the more I swear he won’t—he can’t—the deeper under my skin he’s getting. After the thing that happened, I promised I’d never fall for another boy’s lies.

And yet I can’t help but wonder…what if?

My Review - 4 out 5 stars

One of the reasons I wanted to read this book was because the synopsis alone drew me in. It sounded like a book that was real, and it was. Real, and gritty. Cassie is sent to a rehabilitation retreat, which unlike the clean, spa type image we are usually given off a rehab centre, Turning Pines is the total opposite. Based in the middle of nowhere, and stripped of the smallest of luxuries, Cassie has nothing but her Assessment Diary and some other teens with issues to get her through.

Throughout the first half of the book, we get hints that there is more to Cassie's reason to being in Turning Pines, and even when we find out what her secret is, we are then left wanting to find out of Cassie will finally share that secret with anybody else.

When I was about halfway through Dear Cassie, I found out that it is actually a follow on book to Pretty Amy. Not once did I feel like I was missing a part of the story, Lisa Burstein has managed to write this book as good as if it were a standalone book, which can be read without needing to read Pretty Amy (although now, I want to read that, too!)

I really enjoyed the gritty story of Cassie's, I liked that it was real and not 'fluffy', giving the story an edge. As well as Cassie, we are introduced to a whole group of teens with their own problems, and we see that being a teen is not always a bed of roses and there is a darker side to real life. After finishing Dear Cassie, I will be on the lookout for more books by Lisa Burstein.

Fern book release and giveaway

Fern by Amy Richie

Book Synopsis:

"It's strange how fast life changes. Just when you think you have it all figured out, a council man hands you six werewolves to take care of."

Willow and her pack had barely settled into their new town when the council showed up again. Only this time its to ask for their help—to save Gage. How can Willow refuse?

Suddenly, Willow is thrust into a world of childhood nightmares. The Ancient City. But it isn't at all what she thought it would be. In fact, Willow soon realizes that not many things are what she thought they would be and she has to figure out for herself which things are worth fighting for.

Shona's review.

My rating 5 of 5 stars.

I absolutely loved Willow (the first book in the Blood Vine series). The way Willow adapted to her pack, the way the boys reacted to her, the dynamic of the pack was awesome (and yes I'm becoming über aware as to how often I use that world lately). That however was nothing compared to Fern.

Richie once again drags the reader into Willow's world and submerges you into the pack. What happens to the pact happens to you, which is why on more than one occasion I was in tears or laughing out loud. This pack was MY pack. And I wasn't happy to say goodbye to it at the end of the book.

Still reeling from the discovery that Gage is in fact Mikhaul, the man she was raised to fear, Willow sets off to rescue him from the vampires she was raised to hate and face the woman who raised her. Willow grows so much in this book, she finally realises what it means to lead a pack and she has herself a Eureka! moment when it all falls into place. At this point I actually fisted the air and cheered... I kid you not, I'm just glad I was home alone at that point.

This book was filled with story, there was no slow parts, no quiet parts. From start to finish this book was impossible to put down and I devoured it in two sittings. If you only ever read one Werewolf series make it this one. You wont be disappointed.

Giveaway

We also have up for grabs an ebook of Fern and some Fern swag, click the Rafflecopter link for your chance to win.

A rafflecopter giveaway

The Dragon Carnivale Cover reveal and Giveaways

The Queen of the Realm of Faerie is a fairy tale fantasy series that bridges the Mortal and Enchanted worlds. The main character, Melia, is an eighteen-year-old half-faerie, half-mortal. She lives in Illialei, a country in the Enchanted World, with her two sisters and their mother. Melia’s father has been exiled to the Mortal World, and her best friend is a pixie.

When the story opens in the first book, Melia is troubled by her dark moon visions, gossip she overhears about her parents at the local market, and the trauma of living among full-blooded faeries with wings—she doesn’t have any.

As the series unfolds, the historic and mystical forces that shape Melia’s life are revealed. Each step of her journey—to find the place where she belongs—alters her perceptions about herself, deepens her relationships with others, and enlarges her world view.

In The Dragon Carnivale, book 3 of The Queen of the Realm of Faerie, energies in the Enchanted World are shifting and new alliances are forming; the Battle of Dark and Light has begun. Melia is desperate to make things right with Ryder, the young priest from Idonne, but first she must warn the half-bloods in the Mortal World that Umbra is coming for them, and face the powerful Dragonwitch and her spectacular Dragon Carnivale.

The first two books in the series: Nandana’s Mark and The Flower of Isbelline are currently available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, and Smashwords. Nandana’s Mark is free. The Dragon Carnivale is scheduled for a June 18, 2013, release.

Nandana's Mark

Book Synopsis

In the heart of the Enchanted World, a defiant young half-faerie struggles to free herself from the shadow of her father’s dark ambitions…

Dark visions haunt the half-faerie Melia, but try as she might, she can't chase away the images of destruction linked to her father's obsession with Umbra--the mortal ash accumulating in the Void. Looking for a way to put an end to the visions, she visits the Illustrator and receives a strange mark meant to bring her help. Before it arrives, a tragic accident occurs and a family's dark legacy unravels.

The Queen of the Realm of Faerie series is inspired by the 15th century French fairy tale, Melusine.

My review. 4 of 5 stars.

When I finished with the story I was keen to start reading the second, but I'm struggling to put down in words what I felt about this one. This story starts slowly, building towards a confrontation near the middle of the book. This is where the story really starts to unfold and where secrets are revealed. As the book ends you realise you are not reading the glittery Faerie story you thought it might be, but instead you are faced with a series of secrets and betrayals, mixed in with adventure, danger and maybe even a little love story in there too.

The Flower of Isbelline

Book Synopsis

The half-faerie Melia wants to save her sister from a false marriage, and their world from a dark power. But her sister is determined to pursue their father's damning legacy, and the cost of denying true love will be apocalyptic.

My review. 4 of 5 stars.

I said Nandana's Mark started slowly, the same cannot be said for this one. The story starts with Melia rushing to warn her friend about the danger she's in and from there its non stop action. I literally could not put this book down, I read it one sitting, I have gone without sleep to finish reading this book. I cant wait to read The Dragon Carnivale.

Melia has grown so much in just a few short days, she's stronger and she doesn't even see it. With Ryder by her side she's starting to see herself more clearly, to feel more comfortable in her own skin. I just really hope she doesn't push him away.

Author Bio

Heidi Garrett is the author of The Queen of the Realm of Faerie series. Her personal message to all her readers is:

Once upon a time, you lived in an enchanted world, too… There is magic in all our lives; sometimes we need to look through different eyes to see it.

The Queen of the Realm of Faerie includes many strong female characters within an intricate fantasy land. It is also a fairy tale fantasy. Heidi's hope is that when you read her books, you will rediscover the enchantment in your own life. She currently resides in eastern Washington with her husband and their two cats. So far, she loves the snow. Being from the South, she finds it magical.

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Giveaway #1

Heidi has this awesome giveaway for a $25 American Express Card. Click the rafflecopter link below for your chance to win.
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Sign-up for Heidi Garrett’s new release email list on her blog and receive a lavender and gold Half-Faerie bracelet while supplies last…because you’re half faerie, too, right? 

Giveaway #2

Thanks to Heidi's generosity we at Booky Ramblings have this awesome giveaway .The winner will receive Nandana’s Mark and The Flower of Isbelline ebooks as well as a lavender and gold Half-Faerie silicone bracelet (shown above).

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Grimm Diaries Prequels part 2

Ladle Rat Rotten Hut by Cameron Jace

Book synopsis

Little Red Riding Hood's untold and true story. Why she was wearing a Red hood. Who her Grandma really was. What the wolf actually wanted. Where she fits in the Dreamworld. And what Ladle Rat Rotten Hut means.

My review. 4 of 5 stars

I actually really like these very short stories, they are great for reading in a lunch break etc.

This one so far is my favourite. Told from Little Red Riding Hood's POV. Ladle (as her mother calls her) is approaching her 16 birthday where she soon discovers her families secret and her destiny.

I have to be honest and admit that this is the first of the prequels that have really made me want to read the full novels. The previous prequels have been filled with errors and pop culture references that made me cringe, but there as none of that here. Which just left it as a short but enjoyable read.

Mary Mary Quite Contrary by Cameron Jace

Book synopsis.

The Devil's take on fairy tales, exposing the origins of some of the most important, yet never explained, elements in the fairy world. Darker things the Brothers Grimm didn't want you to know about. More hints would just spoil the fun. Let's just say that at some point in the Dreamworld even the devil was about so sell his soul.

My review. 1 of 5 stars

Normally I wouldn't rate a book that I hadn't finished but this was a short story, I should have been able to finish it easily. The fact that I couldn't read it is the reason I have given it a star rating at all.

Short stories are supposed to be easy reads, this one was so disjointed it made it almost impossible to keep up. Characters were mentioned when they had no need to be, a few times it flipped between past and future tense which doesn't make the reading any easier. It felt like the story had been written, and then edited out of sequence.

Blood Apples by Cameron Jace

Book Synopsis.

In this short diary, Prince Charming tells how Snow White was really killed -- or was she? -- and how he came to meet Rapunzel's and Jack the Beanstalk. Is it true that he really knows who wrote the original fairy tales and handed them over to the Brothers Grimm? And more importantly, Prince Charming explains why apples are red.

My review.  2 of 5 stars
This one is a lot like the others, there are several grammatical errors, words added or missing.
I didn't enjoy this story (although better than the last), and I'm now getting the impression that Jace has decided to try to include as many characters as possible so that he doesn't have to include much in the way of story.
The whole premise of these novellas IS a good one, but overall they have been poorly written. I am now of the opinion that I may borrow the first full length novel from the library (if they stock it) and see if I like it rather than risk buying the whole series and finding out its more of the same.

Julieanne Lynch Author spotlight and Giveaway

Julieanne Lynch

Fiery Librarian Julieanne Lynch is an author of urban fantasy books for both adults and teens. Julieanne lives in Northern Ireland, where she works on her Shadows Trilogy and other series full-time. Before becoming a writer, she considered a few different career paths, a rock star being one of them. She studied English Literature and Creative Writing at The Open University, and considered journalism as a career path.However, she decided writing was the way for her and believes all of her education and reading prepared her for it.

An avid reader, Julieanne has always had an encompassing fascination with folklore. When not writing, she enjoys crime series such as Criminal Minds, CSI, NCIS and Cold Case, and loves anything with Vampires, listening to metal, meeting new people, drinking lots of green tea, and sharing her dreams with her children. She is a self-professed Goth wanna-be, and is happy when left to write into the early hours of the morning.

Julieanne also writes under the pen name J.A. Lynch Julieanne's YA series, The Shadows Trilogy, is published by Vamptasy Publishing and thus far contains Within the Shadows and Escaping Shadows. It follows the war between vampires and shadow creatures. Giselle Bergman, an 18-year old human girl, falls victim to a scheme by one of her closest childhood friends, and embarks on a journey that sees her become the center of a battle between good and evil.

Within The Shadows

Book Synopsis

Living on the razors edge, Giselle Burgman's life is torn apart by her cheating boyfriend. Little does she realise that he is the least of her worries when her long-term friend Alex introduces her to his family and a new, darker world. A world of lies, deceit and corruption. Thrown from one problem straight into another, the razors edge gets thinner and sharper, testing Giselle's sanity and vitality. Not even she can hide when living within the shadows.

My review.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

At the beginning of this story we find Giselle discovering her boyfriend of 4 years has recently cheated on her when she finds a dvd of his indiscretion in her school locker, reeling from the shock she calls Alex (who she refers to as her knight in shining armour), who quickly promises she will feel better once she gets her revenge at Prom. It's at prom that things really start to go wrong for Giselle. After showing the home movie to everyone, she runs out into the night, only to find a strange man watching her, as she runs away from him she bumps into Alex, who is suddenly acting strange. He then gives her the choice of going with him willingly, or being destroyed. With no choice really Giselle chooses to live.

From here on in its one plot twist after another and I worried I would get whiplash, but it was incredibly easy to follow and I couldn't put it down.

As Giselle says "In such a short period of time I had been turned into some new breed of vampire, been married, knocked up, found out my mother was seriously ill, been kidnapped by creatures of the shadow world, slept with my father-in-law, and just when I thought I had fallen in love with him, he was taken from me."

The book ends with Giselle running for her life and that of her unborn child. Running from her husband, running from shadow creatures who want her to be their Queen (not as nice as it sounds), running from people who want to take her child and use it for evil. Unsure of whom to trust she is relying only on Antoine to keep them safe.

Within the Shadows feels like the prequel to the real story yet to come, but its a story I'm glad I have read and I look forward to the next instalment.

Purchase links

Amazon UK   Amazon US

Escaping Shadows

Book Synopsis.

Giselle has barely had time to accept her new life, never mind the prospect of motherhood, but she finds herself, yet again thrown into chaos, only this time there is more than just her life at stake. 
With vampires and shadow creatures vying for her life, can Giselle escape the darkness consuming her, or will she finally descend into the world of shadows?

My review.

My rating 5 of 5 stars

When we first meet Giselle in Within the Shadows she is a very naive teenager. She follows blindly with whatever she is told, who to trust, when to run etc. If you are looking for some more of that girl in this book then you will be disappointed. Giselle has grown up so much since we first met her that sometimes she is almost unrecognisable, she is still Giselle she still has doubts about who to trust but now she is starting to trust herself and her own instincts. And she is no longer driven by herself, she's driven by her need to protect her baby.

Once again we find ourselves in a story that is constantly moving, constantly turning, leaving the reader wondering what is going on never knowing who to trust. And its this aspect of Lynch's writing that I enjoy the most. I never know what's going to happen next, I never know if I can fully trust a character, and I guess that's how Giselle feels.

I am really looking forward to seeing how this develops in the next instalment.

Purchase links

Amazon UK   Amazon US

Bitter Kisses

Book Synopsis

In a world full of fantastical wonder, one lone vampire walks headfirst into an old age battle, but what he meets he is ill prepared for. Antoine Vilniv, beautiful, cunning and dangerous, never bargained for an angel willing to give her life for his.
Through impossible elements a life long friendship is forged, but with it comes a curse. 
Could even the impossible become the possible? Could stolen moments ever be anything more than bitter kisses?
Join Antoine and Ysoriel as you've never seen them before.

Purchase links

Amazon UK   Amazon US

An Early Winter

Book synopsis

Only the truest of love can overcome the darkness of the unknown,where one girl finds eternal happiness, another is damned from existence.

Can true love really free you from the shackles? Or is temptation a road well traveled?

Purchase links

Amazon UK   Amazon US

Giveaway

One lucky winner will win both books in the Shadow World series. That's right TWO books for one lucky winner.

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Follower links

Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Julieanne-Lynch/e/B005E0QYW4/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Blog: www.julieannelynch.blogspot.com
Website: www.julieannelynch.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorJulieanneLynch
Twitter: www.twitter.com/julieannelynch
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/ysoriel/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4721654.Julieanne_Lynch
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/104219430815255383471/posts

Rip series book release

Touch by Daniel Sherrier.

Book synopsis.

Opening yourself up to a whole new world can leave you vulnerable — but it’s the only way to grow. That’s what Rip Cooper has to do when he learns he can perceive ghosts with his five senses as if they were flesh and blood people, and he’s just as solid to them — in fact, the only solid thing to them. This young loner has to overcome his fears and kill dead people to prevent them from corrupting the living. He works alongside an impure angel and his ex-best friend’s ex-girlfriend as they teach him how love can conquer fear.

My review.

My rating 4 of 5 stars.

Rip Cooper is 24, working as a photographer in a new town when he meets Serissa and his life changes. She comes to him in a dream and pushes him through his fear of the ghost he met as a child, past that, nudging his emotions until he's 'awakened'. Rip is one of the Seven. The Seven are able to hear, see, feel, touch and even taste ghosts, and now he can no longer hide and pretend that he isn't seeing the ghosts. And they are starting to notice he can see them.

When the story starts we meet Rip as a little boy, it doesn't say how old he is but he is able to see the ghost of the Raggedy man in his basement and understandably it scares him. As an adult he is still able to see them, but he rationalizes them away with his adult mind. While the story itself is fairly short (well it is a novelette) I didn't find it lacking in any way. Rip may need to man up and face his destiny as one of the Seven but he is a likeable character. As with most shorts the story moves fairly quickly so we don't get bogged down with lots of Rips history. We get a glimpse here and  there about his life up until now. I  get the impression his relationship with Kalli isn't all that it seems, and I'm looking forward to reading more.

Overall this is a great start to what looks to be a promising series told in episodic novelettes

Rip teaser.

Rip Cooper never forgot the haunted house in which he spent his early childhood, though no one else seemed to notice its condition. Did he imagine it? No, he remembered the day all too well, and every memory earns its place. The Cooper family lived in a tiny home, a quaint box with two tight floors and a creepy basement. The front lawn was always kept trim, though there was too little lawn to qualify that as a feat of any proportion. The real selling point was the in-ground pool in the backyard. A lovely pool, indeed. Its square footage nearly rivaled that of the house itself. The quaint box’s age spanned decades, thereby qualifying as ancient to its five-year-old resident. The kitchen had a decent stretch of smooth, tiled floor—creaky, like the rest of the place, but excellent for rolling around toy cars. Rip gave one a hard push, and it raced away. “Ripley, don’t leave any of those toys lying around when you’re finished, please,” his mother called out from the living room. The die-cast metal car careened across the kitchen floor and through a crack under a door, the most horrible door in the whole wide world—the door to that creepy basement. He shouldn’t have pushed so hard.

Rip scooped up his other cars and dumped them in their box. Just one more to claim, but it had escaped his view. He inched toward that looming door, stopping as soon as his arm was within reach. Leaning forward, he stuck his fingers in the crack and pulled the door out, hoping that would reveal the wayward toy and he could grab it and close the door just as quickly. It didn’t. All he saw was a deep, dark gulf. And somewhere down there in that foreboding abyss was his car. His crawling skin suggested he stop right there, and a newly unsettled stomach seconded the motion. His mother wanted him to pick up his toys, all his toys. She always warned that people could trip on them. Therefore, he had no choice. He needed to enter the basement. He trembled as he crept down the wooden staircase into the chilly depths. Each step laughed at him with a creak.

The light from the kitchen shined a perfect path to the stray car. There it was, overturned near the shelves. He just had to follow the light, grab the car, and leave. Why did it have to be so far away? His foot touched down on the smooth, rock-hard ground. He quivered as his courage faltered, and he began turning back to the kitchen…No! He had to get his toy. His mother said so. And you always do what your mother tells you, especially when she says please. He took a few more steps toward the car, trying his best to resist the shiver sent from his brain straight down his spine. Then he made the mistake of looking up.

Gleaming Jack o’ lanterns lined the shelves up and down the wall—and that was just in the parts he could see. They weren't there a moment ago, were they? He forgot all about a moment ago, because big ugly pumpkins now grinned at him, each one carrying a small piece of hell fire inside. Rip screamed. He spun around to escape—so quickly that his legs tangled his feet, causing him to trip and crash to the floor. He buried his face in his hands. He should have covered his ears. “My, aren't we a brave little one?” A man was in his basement, and it wasn't his father; wasn't any relative. The voice was unfamiliar, new. It didn't belong. Rip sprang to his feet and froze. The jack o’ lanterns had vanished, and in the middle of the lighted path appeared a gaunt old man with wizened skin, disheveled silver hair, and no smile. Nice people smiled. Rip had never seen him—not a moment ago, not a month ago, not ever. Sure, those hideous pumpkins were gone, but a strange man in raggedy clothing now stood in his basement. At least he could run away from pumpkins…they couldn't reach out and grab him…

The old man’s jaw dropped. “You can see me, and hear me.” His voice was gravelly, but the chuckle that escaped his throat was worse. “I see. You’re one of the Seven, aren't you, boy?” He stepped toward young Rip. The boy instinctively shielded his eyes, muttering, “No, no, no…” The old man began, “Do you know how long—” and Rip heard nothing else. He opened his eyes and peered around. The man had disappeared. But the jack o’ lanterns were back. This time, they cackled at him. Crying piteously, Rip booked it up the stairs to the safe haven of brightness above. He slammed the door behind him with enough force to rattle the kitchen window.

What Rip hadn’t realized, and didn’t dare contemplate just then, was that the old man hadn’t gone anywhere. He was still there, lurking in the shadows of the basement, just as he had for years. “Just a little boy. A little coward,” the old man said, letting out a wheezing laugh. “Good.” He strolled over to the abandoned toy car. He knelt and held his hand over it. The die-cast metal, untouched, began to vibrate. “I’ll have nothing to fear from a coward.”

Author bio, Daniel Sherrier

Daniel Sherrier is a writer based in central Virginia. His original plays have appeared in multiple venues. He won the 2006 Chameleon Theatre Circle’s New Play Contest (theatre for youth category), as well as several Virginia Press Association awards for his community newspaper work. He was a semifinalist in the 2011 PAGE International Screenwriting Competition, and a finalist in both the 2006 and 2010 TVWriter.com People's Pilot competitions. His screenwriting earned him a slot in the 2011 Taliesin Nexus Filmmakers Workshop in Los Angeles. He is also the author of the Earths in Space science fiction e-book series.

Follower links:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/drsherrier

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6893036

Website: http://sherrierbooks.com/

Purchase link:

Amazon US 

Amazon UK 

The Holders ARC review

The Holders by Julianna Scott

Book Synopsis.

17-year-old Becca spent her whole life protecting her brother from, well, everything. The abandonment of their father, the so-called 'experts' who insist that voices in his head are unnatural and must be dealt with, and the constant threat of being taken away to some hospital and studied like an animal. When two representatives appear claiming to have the answers to Ryland's perceived problem, Becca doesn't buy it for one second. That is until they seem to know things about Ryland and about Becca and Ryland's family, that forces Becca to concede that there may be more to these people than meets the eye. Though still highly skeptical, Becca agrees to do what's best for Ryland.

What they find at St. Brigid's is a world beyond their imagination. Little by little they piece together the information of their family's heritage, their estranged Father, and the legend of the Holder race that decrees Ryland is the one they've been waiting for. However, they are all--especially Becca--in for a surprise that will change what they thought they knew about themselves and their kind.

She meets Alex, a Holder who is fiercely loyal to their race, and for some reason, Becca and Ryland. There's an attraction between Becca and Alex that can't be denied, but her true nature seems destined to keep them apart. However, certain destinies may not be as clear-cut as everyone has always believed them to be.

Becca is lost, but found at the same time. Can she bring herself to leave Ryland now that he's settled and can clearly see his future? Will she be able to put the feelings she has for Alex aside and head back to the US? And can Becca and Ryland ever forgive their father for what he's done?

My review.

My rating 5 of 5 stars.

First off let me just thank Strange Chemistry for sending me this ARC. I was rather shocked to find it in with the book I had requested, but it was a nice shocked. There was something about the cover and the synopsis that drew me straight in and despite the fact I was supposed to be reading something else I couldn't help myself.

This was an amazingly quick and easy read, written so well that you are swept up in the story and don't realise how much you have actually read (360 pages in total), I would look up from the book and realise that whole hours had passed. Julianna Scott has created a world that is different to ours, but fits almost seamlessly into ours and explains the differences in a way that the reader doesn't become confused. We learn right alongside Becca with the same ease as she does.

For the first time in a long while I became invested in the characters in this book as though I had been reading about them for a long time. So much so when Becca and Jocelyn have their discussion near the end of the book I was in tears and almost as emotional as Becca. This is a world I can become involved with, and these are characters that are already dear to my heart. I cant wait to read more about Becca and her new found family.

Fleeting Fires cover reveal

Fleeting Fires by Nadège Richards

Fleeting Fires

By Nadège Richards

 The Bleeding Heart Trilogy, #3

Expected Publication: April 12^th 2013

Genre: YA Romance/Dystopia

Add it on Goodreads

Blurb:

The timepiece ticks and the hour wanes..  The day fades and the night weakens, bringing with it a new dawn we may never see.

The annihilation of New Haven was only the beginning. With King Cyrus still on the loose and a forbidden past still yet to be discovered, Echo Abbeny is finding that her entire existence relies solely on one thing—the acceptance of her gifts as hybrid and the godly abilities she can’t even begin to understand. Or control. Ayden and Kahl are both destined for her love and won’t stop until they’ve claimed her heart, and they’re proving to be an even greater temptation than she could have ever dreamed. And when rumors of a mysterious kingdom in the Sunken City begin to spread like wildfire, spurring chaos between the Xavians, the race against the King and the clock begins…

In the third and final installment of The Bleeding Heart Trilogy, the hour is of the essence, every move will be watched, and death lurks at every corner. A war will be fought and there will be blood to pay. As one of the last oracles on earth, Echo will have to trust herself like never before.

Deceiving Destiny

The Bleeding Heart Trilogy, #2

Published: December 22^nd 2012

Page Count: 304

Genre: YA Romance/Dystopia

Available on: Amazon.com

Add it on Goodreads

 Blurb:

 When your destiny lies in the hands of your enemy, there’s only one thing you won’t do to save the ones you love...

Now free from the walls that confine New Haven, the place she had once believed to be her home, Echo must find a way to put an end to a war only she has the power to stop. She has yet to discover her true abilities as a hybrid leader, but what happens when the dreams that plague her become something more? Someone more? In the midst of exploring her love for Ayden and venturing through forbidden lands for a key that will explain everything, Echo finds Kahl—the boy that haunts her in her sleep, yet has the hidden answers she seeks. And Echo will do just about anything to get them.

In the second installment of The Bleeding Heart Trilogy, relationships are put to the test, dreams become desires, and ultimately one girl will discover her purpose in a promised legend written in stone.

Burning Bridges

The Bleeding Heart Trilogy, #1

Published: July 14^th 2012

Page Count: 313

Genre: YA Romance/Dystopia

Available on: Amazon.com

Add it on Goodreads

 Blurb:

 Do or Die...

In a world that has been divided amongst the Hunter race and the Warrior, prisoners who have fallen prey to King Cyrus' decrees are forced into the arena to fight until death. Winner is granted mercy and privilege to see another sunrise. Death unto the weak. In an attempt to get back at everyone who has ever shut her out, seventeen year-old Princess Echo becomes another victim, dragging Ayden, her forbidden love, along in a race to freedom, to find out who she really is, and to put a world that has been swallowed by lies back together again.

In the first installment of The Bleeding Heart Trilogy, life becomes a dangerous game of kill or be killed, love or let go. When death threatens the forbidden love of an unlikely couple and they are forced to do the unthinkable, to what extent will they go to be together?

Excerpt from Fleeting Fires:

“Want to tell me what’s going on here?” Jakob asked from beside me.

 I guffawed. “You mean beside the fact that he locked Echo and I up underground for days and somehow filled her head with his shit?” I rolled my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. “If not that, there’s nothing else.”

 “Bastard,” I heard Kahl grumble.

 “Coward,” I shot back, my eyes burning with the challenge.

 “Fool.”

 “Ass.”

 “R—” Kahl closed the small space between us and gripped my shoulders, pushing me into a wall. “I didn’t have to do much for her to remember!” he rushed to say, a gritted whisper. “But you made her forget—forget me, forget everything. If she wasn’t so foolhardily infatuated with you, you wouldn’t even be alive right now…”

 My jaw clenched as the people walking by stopped to stare at us. Conroy, Jakob and the others had slowed to turn back.

 “So that’s what this is about. Echo? And not just her, but your past with her.” I shook my head and smiled. “Since we haven’t much time to spare with your idiocy, stop thinking you’re the only one who can help her, Zimmerman,” I grounded. “Infatuation? Were you not the one who had us in cages? I know we just met, but by my book, dragging someone to your own personal Hell is not the way to soften them up.” I kicked off the wall and came to stand in front of him. I was taller by an inch, give or take, and my fists clenched at my sides with the dire need to hit something, anything. “Stay away from her; her past with you is minuscule. Know you’re place, because it damn sure is not by her side.”

 I pushed past him, my shoulder knocking him off kilter, and averted Conroy’s gaze as I made my way to the front of the group.

 “I can’t,” I heard Kahl call out. I turned to face him and he did the same. “Stay away from her, I mean. I won’t.”

About the author:

Born in New York and raised in Pennsylvania, Nadège Richards has traveled to six other states and two countries, but aspires to travel the world some day. Forever a lover of Art and all things pertaining to Literature, she hopes to obtain knowledge from her writing career, rather than popularity. She wrote her first novel about aliens and goats in the 8th grade and has had a passion for story-telling ever since. Her friends and family are her biggest inspiration. She enjoys being part of the Indie community and sharing her stories with the world.

When not reading, writing, and blogging obsessively, she’s usually found hiking, studying, camping, or at home with her family. She’s been a martial artist for two years, a singer for three, and always seeks a common ground in everything. She considers her writing very personal, as she’s always been a private person. She enjoys writing about what could or should happen, rather than what did happen—she’s a dreamer and a procrastinator..

Art is Life Blog Tour

Blog Tour - Life is Art: Cover and Art Design by Danny Rei

 Designer Spotlight

I’m Danny and I’m 21. I love beautiful book covers and posters. Ever since I was a child, I was very artistic and won several drawing competitions. As I grew up, my interest in art and design expanded somewhat. What started as something I enjoyed and was good at, became a passion.

My passion in art and design led me to start my own forum to satisfy my need to meet others with the same interests. As a result, I had to design my own buttons, banners, avatars and signatures.
Upgrading my skills came naturally, and soon I became fascinated with Photoshop and the endless possibilities I can discover with the program – from photo manipulating to digital painting from a plain white sheet.
I love reading books and seeing beautiful and creative cover designs inspires me. Not only to I enjoy the designing process, perfection is what I aim for.

I created my cover art service to help indie authors find the right cover artist for them. I have enjoyed working with several indie authors, as well as with a fantastic publisher – E.A.R. Publishing Company. Our collaboration has resulted in creating over 20 covers and other art works for the purpose of book promotion.

I do not have a specific way of working. Every client is special, unique and original, thus, my process is different every time. Usually, I ask the author if they have a specific vision of their cover art and go from there. And for those who are not sure what they want in particular, I ask for a sample of their book and the blurb. After I have digested the information, I suggest ideas and we go from there.

Art is Life really is a bespoke service that caters to the individual author’s needs.

Showcase of Work.

‘Demonic Saviour’, by Author Katherine Rocholz, is one of my most favourite cover designs I have made so far. I know having favourites isn’t something I should do, because all of my cover designs are like my children, but I just love this one so much. I drew this personally and I especially like the ‘dirty’ lines of the art.

Red Moon by Author J.V.K… I love this piece. Not only because it fits the second book perfectly, it is dear to me because the fragments of the compositions. A dear friend of mine is the model, and the dress she is wearing is my prom dress. So, naturally this cover means a lot to me. I love the simplicity of the colours: red – black – white. It is eye-catching, simple, and in a way unique.

The ‘UnForgotten’ anthology cover is also one of my favourite pieces. Maybe it is the theme of the writing contest organised by E.A.R. Publishing, or the calm, blue colours, but this definitely is something I enjoy looking at.

‘Of Gaea’ by Victoria Escobar is my most recent art work. I have to say that when I read the blurb, I was fascinated with the story and felt privileged that the Victoria chose me as her cover artist. I loved working with her.

Aah, ‘Another Way to Bleed’ by Author Susan Harris! This one is special to me in its own way. The model on the cover is a personal friend of mine and her personality fits the main character in Susan’s debut novel perfectly.

And these are some of my pre-made cover designs for sale :

        

Recommendations

“I had an idea, but no matter how hard I tried to make a reality it just wasn’t working for me.  Getting a cover artist was the only option, but I wasn’t sure I would find something cost efficient for my meagre budget and exceptionally talented.  It was with much reluctance I send out a bunch of emails to varying cover artists.  I’m so glad I did.

Art is Life: Cover and Art Design is the greatest blessing any indie author (or author in general) could ask for.  Not only is she massively cost efficient, she took my idea and created the most gorgeous cover I have ever seen.  She really listened and took my input rather than just brushing away my thoughts.  She was completely patient, and made changes every time I asked her to without hesitation.  It was awesome.

I am 100 percent in love with my cover.  I’ll never go to anyone else for cover art.  Art is Life: Cover and Art Design has my business for the foreseeable future!” - Victoria Escobar, Author

Art is life; cover and design is a brilliant, imaginative and creative company that provides quality work and an excellent service. Being an author myself, I had a clear imagine in my mind of what I would like for my debut novel's book cover. Having given my publisher a sample of something I would like, the wonderful artist behind Art is Life: cover and design took my idea and blew it out of the water. In an instant the character whose voice was rambling around in my head came to life in a single image. And even when I asked for something to be included in the design, it was done to perfection. If you want a one of a kind cover for your book, I would urge to choose Art is Life; cover and design. You will not be disappointed with the end result..... and I can't wait to work with them again when It's time to sort out a cover for any future novels I am planning to write. -  Susan Harris, Author

Interview with Danny Rei

How would you describe your design style?

Messy, might describe it perfectly. I have no idea how to explain that properly, but it really is a strange thing… Sometimes I have a clear idea of what I want to do and how to do it, others it is just an outline and I have to take a breather and sit back to wait for the process to start.

When I draw, especially, it is a dirty, dirty thing. For example, the last drawing I finished was of a girl with black hair and blue highlights. I originally wanted red highlights, but then I did the background sky and the red fell back right away. I still wanted a red detail in my drawing and I ended up with a red lips instead of black ones.

When did you first start designing?

Well, that is funny, because it was in the kindergarten. We had to make cards for our parents. It was just a childish drawing with leaves and dried flowers, but it was still kind of like designing.

Later on in school, we had to design a concept for our own product. I remember I did a Manga volume with the cover design and the story line, etc. Before that, I made a forum to satisfy my need to connect with other anime lovers. For this, I had to design the logo, the buttons… It was a fun project. I ended up with a crazy bunch of people that I will love forever.

Your current Facebook page ‘https://www.facebook.com/pages/Art-is-life-Cover-and-Art-Design/380159192078962?fref=ts’ appears to be your main platform for showcasing and promoting Art is Life: Cover and Art Design, why did you decide Facebook was the way to go?

Honestly, I created Art is Life to showcase my digital paintings, but later I decided that my talent can benefit the indie community, which I have been a part of for three years now. I see lots of authors who are in need of a reliable, affordable, friendly service. I first started to help only my friends, because there were other artists on the web, but then one of the authors I worked with asked me why I don’t I have an art service platform, and thus my art service was created. I want to create a blog, but I am fairly new to the blogger system and running one seems so hard.

Is there is one thing that you learned since you started designing that you wish you knew when you first started out – what would that be?

I learnt a lot of things to be honest. Mostly, I wish I knew that.

What are some of your favourite things to do outside of designing?

I love writing, listening to music, drawing. There a lot of things I enjoy, but mostly staying at home and enjoying my time with my boyfriend (that sounds weird, but I am a homemaker. I do not like going out, staying out late clubbing.) I love cooking and playing with my dog, Sarah.

Sum up in 50 words or less why indie authors should approach you about design.

I am friendly, patient, and I can make your book’s “face” come alive.

Thank you, now just enough time for a few randoms! 

Do you ever design in your PJ’s?

It is the only thing I feel comfortable in. I am in pajamas all day when I am at home :D

Sleep in or get up early?

Depends on the mood I wake up in.

Cats or dogs?

I love cats, and I am generally a cat person. But I love so much my weiner dog, Sarah. She is the cutest thing ever! She is almost 12 and she is getting white all over :D

Favorite food?

Oh, that is hard! I love so many things. But rice with chicken is among my favorite, also musaka (a native Bulgarian meal) and as well as tarator (it is so refreshing and light, ideal for the summer! )

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?

None, I love mint with chocolate!

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?

I am a Supernatural, Doctor Who and Sherlock nut. I also enjoy Arrow. But that is about it. I loved the “Hotel Transylvania” animation.



Where can we STALK you?

My facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Art-is-life-Cover-and-Art-Design/380159192078962

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with us and allowing us a glimpse into your designing world.

Links

Giveaway Info
There are two giveaways being held to promote the amazing Art is Life: Cover and Art Design. One is specifically for authors, the second is for everyone.

Author Giveaway Prizes
1 x 30% off a pre-made cover design
or, 50% off a cover design

Author Giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway
Fan Giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

Blog Tour - Art is Life: Cover and Art Design

8^th March

http://booksreviewswineandcheese.blogspot.com/?zx=6cc1bc52faf3976b

Showcase of Work, Giveaway

 9^th March

http://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/

Showcase of Work, Designer Interview

 10^th March

www.delphinareadstoomuch.com

Showcase of Work, Spotlight, Guest Post – A Journey of Art and Books

 11^th March

http://bookyramblings.wordpress.com

Designer Spotlight, Showcase of Work, Designer Interview, Giveaway

 12^th March

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Addicted-to-Books-Book-Reviews/301560786547467

Designer Spotlight, Giveaway

 14^th March

http://serendipity-reviews.com

Showcase of Work

 15^th March

http://mirasgreatbooks.blogspot.com/

Designer Spotlight, Showcase of Work

 16^th March

http://peepchic.wordpress.com

Showcase of Work

 17^th March

http://www.recentread.com

Showcase of Work, Guest Post – Book Design: The Beginning

18^th March

 http://bexbooks.blogspot.com

Designer Spotlight, Showcase of Work, Giveaway

 20^th March

http://bookend2bookend.blogspot.com

Designer Spotlight

 21^st March

http://caughtinasnyderwebb.blogspot.com/

Designer Spotlight, Showcase of Work, Giveaway

 23^rd March

www.thehiddenreader.weebly.com

Showcase of Work

24^th March

http://onemorechapterreviews1.blogspot.com/

Designer Spotlight, Showcase of Work, Giveaway

 25^th March

http://readingrainblog.com

Designer Spotlight, Showcase of Work, Designer Interview, Giveaway

 28^th March

http://www.alittlebitofrnrreviews.com

Designer Spotlight, Showcase of Work, Giveaway

 29^th March

http://satinsbookishcorner.blogspot.co.uk/

Designer Spotlight, Giveaway

 30^th March

http://tattlet.blogspot.co.uk/

Designer Spotlight, Showcase of Work

 31^st March

http://www.readergirlsblog.com

Showcase of Work, Guest Post, Giveaway