Cover Reveal: Shine by Dannika Dark

In the short span of a year, Silver has gone from becoming a Mage to discovering the truth about her unique genetics. Logan Cross went from her mortal enemy to her immortal lover, but a threat is fast approaching like an inevitable storm. Attacks are underway against the Mageri and one man is behind it—an elusive foe who is an unstoppable force. Nero is not Silver’s only concern as someone close to her is arrested for treason. In the midst of chaos, Silver discovers she cannot protect everyone from the wrath of fate, including her own Ghuardian. Justus finally opens his heart, but an unexpected turn of events could darken his soul forever. Secrets are revealed that will leave you reeling from one twist after the next. Would you sacrifice everything for love? Destiny has set sail and once she alters her course, no one’s life will ever be the same in this explosive conclusion to the Mageri Series.

Release Date: December 20, 2013

About the Author

This is the segment where you learn a little more about who I am, so here's what I can tell you:  I drink copious amounts of vitamin water placed precariously close to my laptop while writing. These are two healthy habits I have no intention of breaking. I'm a transplant living in the south, but I was born in the 70's to a military dad who moved us around the world.

When I'm not writing (which is all the time), I'm hunting down Indie music, watching movies, reading, eating Tex-Mex, discovering new ways to humiliate myself bowling, and burning up my laptop battery on the Internet. I have a relaxed, easy-going personality and don't like drama. I live with a cat who thinks she is a dog, or a goat (she eats plastic, so I'm not sure which).

Throughout my life, I've had insomnia. Counting sheep never worked and eventually I would imagine those sheep were the sole source of food after an apocalyptic battle where only thousands survived. I made up stories in a futile attempt to bore myself to sleep. The problem was, I got so wrapped up in my "head stories" that I would continue them through the following nights, changing it up each time to make it more exciting. Eventually, I started writing my ideas down - creating short stories, and then I discovered my love for poetry.

It's almost embarrassing how many spiral notebooks and stacks of paper I have of poetry and lyrics.

Another passion: digital art. I design all my book covers, marketing, and series art. I'm a very visual person and pursued photography as an avid hobby for many years.

I am not a YA author (I feel like I have to state this only because I've had a few people ask), but I think it's wonderful there are so many books available to teens in Urban Fantasy and Paranormal.

I am finally doing what I have always wanted to do: giving my characters a pulse through writing full time. I focus on adult urban fantasy romance, but I don't like labels and I enjoy blending genres to break out of the confines of predictability.

But it's what I love to do.

-Danni

You can stalk, I mean, find Dannika here:

            

Presented By 

Book Review/Birthday Bash Post: Medusa, A Love Story by Sasha Summers

It's said love can change a person. Medusa wasn't always a monster... 

Medusa is ruled by duty, to her Titan father and the Goddess Athena. She's no room for the tenderness her warrior guard, Ariston, stirs. When Olympus frees her from service, her heart leads her into the arms of the guard she loves... and curses her as the creature with serpent locks.

Ariston goes to war with a full heart... and dreadful foreboding. He learns too late of the danger Medusa faces, alone, and a Persian blade sends him into the Underworld. But death, curses, nor the wrath of the Gods will keep him from returning to her. 

Poseidon will use Greece's war to get what he wants: Medusa. He does not care that she belongs to another. He does not care that she will be damned. He is a God, an Olympian, and she will be his.

This book was certainly a new take on the Greek myths. I have always loved reading about old Greek and Roman myths. My absolute favorite Goddess would be Artemis (CALM down, Dark Hunters) and favorite God would be Hermes. These choices do not  reflect the way they are portrayed in this book. So this book is about Medusa who was not always the fearsome monster with snakes for hair. She was once a woman who fell in love and suffered for it. Everything starts with prologue that ties into the story of Perseus. As you myth buffs may now, Perseus was a warrior and became a hero by killing Medusa and used her head as a weapon. The one major thing I noticed in this book was how human everyone appeared to be, even the Gods. I am reminded of something my philosophy teacher once said during a lecture, "We were nothing, but playthings for the Gods...to pass the time. We are their possessions, even in death." It kinda stuck with me because it made me think about how the religious worship a God or Gods and how their actions are dictated by rules and fear of punishment.

In Medusa, A Love Story, the book is just that. A story about a girl who falls in love with a man and is punished for it. The Gods involved are portrayed like a mob family. They all have things up their sleeves and if they see something they like they will stop at nothing to get it. I cried during the second portion of the book. I sympathized with the lovers and felt the pain of loss and the anger at the injustice of it all. All Medusa wanted was to be with Ariston and he with her. The Gods interfered and tore them apart, but not because they were an ill-fated couple; it was because they dared to go against the wishes of the Gods and for that grievous crime, one is cursed with snakes and one is cursed with death. 

There was one character that I liked besides Medusa and that character is Hades. Now I know what you're about to say. Hades? Why him? In all fairness, he isn't a bad God, if anything he's the most sympathetic of the bunch. He kept watch over Medusa and Ariston, despite having a reputation for not getting involved in Olympus business. Whenever I think of Hades, I think back to the Disney version and that cracks me up. Sasha goes on to write the story of Hades and Persephone in the next book in the Loves of Olympus series and I hope it's with a lot more romancing! Myths portray their courtship, or lack there of, as an abduction and entrapment. >.> Yup, that needs a new spin ASAP. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good underdog romance with a  dash of divine intervention. I give this book a rating of....

5 stars!!!!

Scroll down below to enter the giveaway for this post and get you own copy of Medusa today! :D

Book Trailer

CHECK IT! Here's a nice book trailer for Medusa

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90fH7xoZiCo

*~**~*Giveaway~*~**~*~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Buy Links

Amazon : http://www.amazon.com/Medusa-Love-Story-Loves-Olympus/dp/1937254518/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365971292&sr=8-1&keywords=Medusa+a+love+story

B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/medusa-a-love-story-sasha-summers/1110296522?ean=9781937254513

Kobo:  http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Medusa-A-Love-Story/book-cog4uxv89UmZiEeyqsFLJg/page1.html?s=0jSPObkrOkmru6yVR9E3SA&r=1

All Romance ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-medusaalovestory-1115273-146.html

Goodreads link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13498668-medusa-a-love-story

Author’s Bio & Picture

Sasha is part gypsy. Born June 9, 1974, stories have always played an important role in her life. Her passions have always been storytelling, Hollywood, history, and travel. It’s no surprise that her books include a little of each. Her first play, ‘Greek Gods and Goddesses’ was written for her Girl Scout troupe. She’s been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she creates; even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash socks when she’s doing so. Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.

Website/Blog:  http://sashasummers.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sashawrites

FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sasha-Summers-Author/213036208773108?fref=ts

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5759214.Sasha_Summers

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sashasummers/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SashaWrites