Showing posts with label War. Show all posts
Showing posts with label War. Show all posts

August 22, 2013

Blog Tour Post/Book Reviews: Battle for Souls series by Ciara Knight

at 8/22/2013 01:08:00 AM 3 comments

Alexander Lorre gives new meaning to the term “tormented teen.” He’s a newly fallen angel, which means he has the self-control of a three-year-old, the hormones of a teenager and the strength of an angel. When he rescues Gaby Moore from drowning, the chemistry between them is undeniable. With a local demon threatening Gaby’s life, he struggles to find a balance between remaining close enough to protect her but distant enough to control his desires.

As danger draws closer, Gaby uncovers shattering secrets that will lead to an ultimate choice. Will she fight alongside her father, an earthbound hunter killing fallen angels and demons, give into the demon blood coursing through her veins and join the demon world, or save the man she loves from both? The first two choices damn her, but the last one could destroy them all.
This book was had some parameters that I like in my stories. There were twists and turns in the plot, which were fantastic. A boy and a girl meet and steadily fall for each other. :) I love that! So this story stars Gaby, whose mother had recently passed away in a car crash. She lives with her father who has a mysterious and dangerous government job that uproots them constantly. Gaby is pretty much a latchkey kid. Her father works too much and seems like he's also a part-time alcoholic. Gaby goes for a swim to clear her thoughts and gets a little too close to touchy-feely seaweed. She gets caught and almost drowns until lo and behold a really attractive boy rescues her. His name is Alexander and he is accompanied with his sister Sammy. They are not the everyday brother-sister duo. They are actually fallen angels who are tasked with the job of protecting Gaby, but who has plans to hurt her?

Gaby has drawn the interest of a demon named Forras, who is in guide of the typical high school jock. Nothing is as it seems and you can't trust anybody! Gaby and Alexander become closer throughout the book and their attraction for on another builds up. But everything is not all sunshine and roses. We get a background on Gaby's relationship with her father. From all accounts, he's shady about his job and is a little too friendly with Jack Daniels. He constantly uproots Gaby and moves them some place else. This seriously dampers a girl's social skills, not to mention the fact that she's never been to a public school!

I loved getting to know all of these characters. Even Gaby’s father, who I disliked from the very beginning. He comes off as an absentee parent who isn't really present for his own daughter’s life, but he does have some character development by the end of the book. I am definitely excited to see what happens in the next book and what trials come up to shake up Alexander and Gaby's relationship. It's not every day you find out there are real life angels and demons among us, but the fact that you’re dating one?!?! Not to mention the fact that your best friend is of the supernatural persuasion and your dad has been keeping a huge secret from you! Oh, the drama of a teenaged girl's life!

Gaby Moore’s powers emerge years too early due to adolescent hormones, complications with loving a fallen angel, and constant demon attacks. She is forced to deal with the guilt of believing she murdered Alexander’s “mother,” while trying to stop the demonic war before it begins. Only the love and acceptance of friends, family, and her beloved Alexander could save her from turning to her demonic side.
This is the second book in the series and it was just as good as the first! Gaby and Alexander's relationship is still budding despite the events of book one. Her powers are getting stronger each day and with this comes hope to stop a war of demonic proportions from happening. This is a lot to put on a girl's plate, especially a teenaged girl. The cast of characters continue to grow, but in a realistically relate-able way. There's moments in the book that make you wonder where Alexander and Gaby's relationship is going or if they'll even last through the war that shows no signs of stopping.

Gaby Moore fails to stop a demonic war which released condemned ancient angels and Lucifer’s minions to Earth. When all hope is lost, Herak, an Ancient sentenced to eternal solitude for starting the first demonic war, pledges to save the world. But is he really reformed and ready to fight, or will he betray Gaby and Alexander forcing them to sacrifice their love and each other to save the world?
So as you can already see, Gaby fails to stop the war from happening and schtuff is about the hit the fan! Gaby has been training harder and harder, but it wasn't enough. Then some guy, Herak, shows up and pledges to save the world. Herak is an Ancient angel, who started the first demonic war. Who can you really trust in a world where demons roam free and in disguise? Honestly, I was surprised things turned out the way that they did. In plotlines like this, the heroine usually saves the day with an emotionally heavy price to pay. That didn't happen in this book. Gaby literally fails to do what she's been training to do. Now, she's scrambling to figure out some way to protect the world from the aftermath of the war and how to protect her loved ones from getting in the crossfire. Lives are lost and alliances are formed, but was it worth all of the heartbreak? The conclusion was satisfying and just right for the pace of the plot.

**NOTE** The author is giving away an ebook copy of all three books. Enter below.


Book Links




About the Author

Ciara Knight writes to ‘Defy the Dark’ with her fantasy and paranormal books.  Her debut novel, The Curse of Gremdon, was released to acclaimed reviews, securing a Night Owl Top Pick and five stars from the Paranormal Romance Guild. Also, released in 2012 is her young adult series, Battle for Souls. Book I, Rise From Darkness, won July Book of the Month at Long and Short Reviews.

When not writing, she enjoys reading all types of fiction. Some great literary influences in her life include Edgar Allen Poe, Shakespeare, Francine Rivers and J K Rowling.

Her first love, besides her family, reading, and writing, is travel. She’s backpacked through Europe, visited orphanages in China, and landed in a helicopter on a glacier in Alaska.

Author Links


April 22, 2013

Book Review & Giveaway: The Forever Saga: Flash by Sean C. Sousa

at 4/22/2013 04:26:00 PM 0 comments
I have to confess, I wasn't exactly eager to read this book. I tend to stay away from sci-fi based novels, which is odd because of my love for Battlestar Galactica and Doctor Who, but I gotta say The Forever Saga: Flash was actually a well written and interesting book.
Long ago, the first reign of Grigori Geist nearly destroyed the Earth. Returned from exile, Geist is secretly rebuilding his kingdom beneath Antarctica, assembling his robotic Vaucan race to war against mankind. Only one obstacle remains: the war hero known as Brian Renney. Yet Brian is losing a battle against his fears. Scars of heart and mind linger from his days in Vietnam, fueling his failures as husband and father. This embitters his youngest son, Jason – a star athlete torn between pursuing the love of his life, and meeting the demands of a father who is far from the storied army captain he once was.And all the while, Geist is coming for them. In this dark hour, Brian and Jason encounter a war to end all others… and an unexpected ally who, once meant for evil, shall forever be a force for good.

This book was a bit overwhelming, but in a good way. It was quite a melting pot of different cultures, titles, customs, and lifestyles. Even though there were a lot of different pieces, Sean C. Sousa tied them all together beautifully. One of the main characters is Brian Renney, a survivor of the Vietnam war. He, like many others, still has strong memories and flashback of his time on the battlefield. His character is a little similar to the Walt Kowalski, of Gran Torino, but is more watered down. Brian is alienated from his sons, prideful, gruff billy goat personified, old-school, and retired, but he's not a bad guy. He does have moments of reproach where he does praise his son, despite otherwise. He also has bouts of PTSD that have increased since the accident. The things he's see and done during a period of blood and war still stays with him and causes a rift between him and his family. 

He knows he's sabotaging himself and his relationships, but it's like he has word vomit. The meanest things come out of his mouth, full of sarcasm, bitterness and anger, aimed at his family when he's projecting his self-hatred of himself. Despite this, his family refuses to give up on him and still love him, albeit from a distance. Brian has a love of skates, which one expects from Michiganians and was a hockey player back in the day. His youngest son, Jason, has picked up the mantel and is always under his father's constant scrutiny. Around Christmas time, everything changed for the Renney family. After an argument broke out during dinner, Brian is spirited away by Prince Ahya, later renamed Flash. From this point on, Brian is thrust into a journey that will ultimately lead to the battle of all battles.

As you read the book, Sousa switches back and forth between the realm of Regnum Aeturnum (a metropolis built under the continent of Antarctica) to flashbacks of the Vietnam war (told in Brian's POV) and then to present day. The mini world that exists is intricately designed and has a Game of Thrones feel to it with all of the politics and warmongering. :D There were many scenes that made my top 5, but my all time favorite stars Brian and his wife, Mary, when they are briefly reunited. I just couldn't help it; I'm a romantic. :) This book also kind of reminded me of this old movie I saw when I was a kid. It was called the Iron Giant. I kind of felt like it was similar in the sense that during their time together, Brian was teaching Flash to be more human and Flash challenged Brian's own view of his self-worth. The flashbacks and the ending made me tear up a little. Being Vietnamese with parents who fled Vietnam during the war, I appreciated Brian's flashbacks and his attempts to make things better. I don't quite remember if there are stories about real life soldiers who not only fought the war against communism in Vietnam, but also for the people. Brian is a fractured soul. He was described as quick to act and cared for the lives of others. This section made me tear up the most, 
"
He cared about the Vietnamese more than many of his fellow soldiers did. It didn’t matter to him that some folks back home hated us for fighting that war. He only wanted to win for the Vietnamese people.” (
Sean C. Sousa. The Forever Saga: Flash (Kindle Locations 7205-7207).) 

Despite his flaws, he was committed to the underdog and it cost him most of his mental stability, but it made him into the kind of hero you want to root for. 
This book was filled with imagery, adventure, pain, redemption, conspiracy, mystery, family, love, and fantasy. I am so glad Sean contacted me to read this book. I hope I have the luck of reading the next book by this up and coming writer! I give this book a rating of....




4 ½ stars!!!!

Today only (4-23-13)! The Forever Saga: Flash Giveaway - Like The Forever Saga's Facebook Page and receive a free e-book copy of Flash!" 




For more info about The Forever Saga, click here and for more info about the author click here. 



SEAN C. SOUSA never planned on writing a novel – that is, until the idea for The Forever Saga came along. He first conceived it as a video game design concept, then a screenplay, and finally a written work of fiction. His debut novel, The Forever Saga: Flash, marks the end of one six-year journey toward publication, and also the beginning of another: to bring his stories to a worldwide audience.
His dream is to see fiction inspire positive social change in the world, calling attention to issues of social justice and mobilizing his readership to meet the needs of those afflicted.
Mr. Sousa resides in Southern California with his wife, Shelley, and when he is not writing further adventures about the Renney family, he is usually up to socially acceptable mischief with his friends and family.

Copyright 2007-2013 Epical Media. All Rights Reserved

April 1, 2013

Blog Tour Post: Bound by Elisabeth Naughton

at 4/01/2013 01:01:00 PM 7 comments

TITUS—To most his gift seems like a blessing, but for him it’s a curse the other Eternal Guardians—those who protect the mortal realm from threats of the Underworld—seek to exploit. One he would gladly trade for the chance to be free…
Obsessed. Her touch is like a drug. From the moment he met her, Titus knew she was different. Even dangerous. Yet though his guardian brethren are convinced Natasa is working for Hades, Titus can’t stop thinking about her. Can’t stop fantasizing about her. Can’t stop craving the one thing he knows could lead to the downfall of his world.
Possessed. Faced with stopping Natasa or joining in her quest, Titus falls to temptation and is thrust into a world of lust, deception, and deadly treachery designed by the gods. Her touch—only hers—frees him from his bonds, but desire may just condemn him. Because before the end he’ll have to decide which is more important: duty and honor to those he took an oath to defend, or a woman who could very well be the biggest curse to them all.

Ahoy there peeps! We have a special post today! Today we are hosting the lovely Elisabeth Naughton and her newly released book, Bound. I heard about Elisabeth from another blogger buddy (Viviana, Enchantress of Books) and once I read the first book in the Eternal Guardians series, I was hooked and this book was no different.

This volume focuses on Titus, Argonaut warrior, who can hear other people's thoughts and see memories through touch. And his lucky lady? A tough, strong, resourceful young woman, who's fate is either destined for great destruction or the key to the Gods' master plans.

I love the chemistry between the Titus and Natasa. The playful banter between these two helped develop their relationship into a stable give-and-take, instead of a one sided "I'm the man, you're the woman" roles. For the first time, Titus found someone who's touch doesn't hurt him and Natasa found someone she can generally depend on. 

Another thing I love about Elisabeth's books are the subplots. While the main couples' story develops throughout the book, the other Guardians and their mates' side stories are also continued to show the strains of royal life, the complications of soulmates, and the evil plans of the Gods.

I give this book a (drumroll).....
5 stars!!!!!

I loved this book. It's a great addition to the Eternal Guardians series. The characters are strong with a bit of vulnerabilities that make them  more relate-able. I highly recommend this book, so all of you Elissabeth Naughton fans, this book is another homerun. And if you're not a fan or haven't read Elisabeth Naughton before, I HIGHLY recommend this book!

Now as a special bonus, this blog tour is hosting a giveaway as pictured below...
which includes....

~ 1 eBook copy of Bound
~ Character Trading Cards
~ 1 Eternal Guardian Bookmarker
~ 1 Eternal Guardian Drink Coaster
~ 1 Eternal Guardian logo Temporary tattoo
~ 1 Bound Car Charm
~ 1 Bound Keychain

....isn't that awesome?



As you follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. A list of tour dates can be found here: 


Here are some links below, to purchase a copy today!




About the Author:

I was never one of those people who knew they wanted to be an author at the age of six. I didn’t have imaginary friends. I didn’t write stories in my journal or entertain my relatives by firelight after Thanksgiving dinner. For the most part, I was just a normal, everyday kid. I liked to read, but I wasn’t exceptional at it. And when my teachers complimented me on my writing abilities, I brushed them off. I did, however, always have a penchant for the unique and absurd. And as my mother told me all throughout my childhood, I should have been an actress—I was a drama queen before my time.

Years ago, my husband bought me Scarlett: The Sequel to Gone With The Wind. If you ever saw the book, you know it’s a long one. I sat and read that thing from cover to cover, and dreamed of one day being a writer. But I didn’t actually try my hand at writing until years later when I quit my teaching job to stay home with my kids. And my husband? After that week of reading where I neglected him and everything else until I finished Scarlett, he vowed never to buy me another book again. Little did he know I’d one day end up sitting at a keyboard all day drafting my own stories.

My writing journey has not been easy. I didn’t just sit down one day, decide I was going to write a book and voila! sell my very first attempt. As most authors will probably agree, the path to publication is filled with hours of work, pulling all-nighters I thought I’d given up in college, sacrifices, rejections, but a love I discovered along the way I just can’t live without. Instead of a big, thick book to read by lamplight (I do read much smaller ones when I get the chance), I’ve traded in my reading obsession for a laptop. And I’ve never been happier.

I’m one of the lucky ones. I have a wonderful family and fabulous husband who put up with my writing—and obsessive personality—even when life is chaotic. More than once my kids have been late to swimming or baseball because I needed just five more minutes to finish a scene. Their support and encouragement mean the world to me. I also have amazing friends and a support network I couldn’t survive without. So to all of you out there who have encouraged me along the way, sent me emails and fan letters, phone calls and congratulations, I just want to say, thank you. You make this whole writing gig that much more enjoyable. I truly wouldn’t be here without you.


Author Links:
Eternal Guardians FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/EternalGuardians


 

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