The Accidental Demon Slayer by Angie Fox (Demon Slayer #1)

The Accidental Demon Slayer 
by Angie Fox

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

On her 30th Birthday, Lizzie (Elizabeth Gertrude Brown) expected a hot night at a local bar with her friends and a guy she's been crushing on., what else would a preschool teacher expect..what she gets is mystical demon slaying powers, meeting her Harley riding grandmother and the ability to hear her dog talk. If that isn't bad enough, a demon shows up on her toilet and tries to kill her. Nope definitely not the night she had planned.

Pulled into a world she never new existed, Lizzie must decide who she can trust in this new and precarious world. Complicating the matter, a hot griffin has his sights on Lizzie and fuddles her every chance he gets.

The Accidental Demon Slayer is a humor filled adventure. With road kill banquets, sequenced clothing, peculiar witch rau motor cycle gang and a magical shield that turns into unusual protection garments, The Accidental Demon Slayer provided an original fun read.

I received this copy of The Accidental Demon Slayer from Season Publishing - Angie Fox in exchange for a honest review.

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Knights of the Dragon by A. J. Gallant

Knights of the Dragon
by A.J. Gallant

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In a fantasy land full of knights and young boys, dragons of all colors and powers, kingdoms and wars, Knights of the Dragon by A. J. Gallant will take you away from your everyday reality and hold you captive to an amazing tale with his ingenious writing style! Am I going to give you a book report? Nope, this is too good to spoil with more than a brief recap, but I will say, I have learned more about dragons than I ever knew! I was mesmerized by this story, starting with a young boy who braves a high mountain to discover the lair of a family of dragons, befriending one young dragon and beginning on his journey to his destiny. In a land where the kingdom with the most powerful wizard could rule all and dragons could be trained or spelled to serve as an air force of sorts, fierce battles were common, castles were common and the feel was medieval, but, the dialogue was modern, with no apologies! Designed to enthrall younger readers, this fast-paced tale will enchant even the most “mature" reader, thanks to A. J. Gallant’s ability to color his pages with his words and paint a scene you can feel, taste and touch.

I learned that even dragons have prejudices that can be overcome! Love conquers all and that the legend regarding wizard dragons is true! Oh, and baby dragons are born talking and act just like little kids, except for the fire-breathing part! Get the idea I loved this book? Loved the style? The story? YEP! I did and I highly recommend it as a wonderful escape from reality and its daily drudgery.

When an author can create like this, you know they love their work and it’s a joy to read! The details will astound you, yet are not overwhelming, making it perfect for every age! I want to thank A. J. Gallant for the opportunity to read and share my thoughts on Knights of the Dragon.
Publication Date: February 19, 2013

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ARC Review - Damn Him to Hell by Jamie Quaid (Saturn's Daughter #2)

Damn Him to Hell 
by Jamie Quaid

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Damn Him To Hell was a quirky, fun adventure with a rag tag group of misfits facing against an evil foe. With the flare of Warner Brothers Looney Toons, this group will having you laughing out loud and holding on to the edge of your seat.

Tina Clancy recently discovered her abilities as Saturn's daughter, she has can judge and condemn peoples souls to heaven or hell. Just earning her law degree, Tina is familiar with the judicial system but choosing an eternity for someone in hell is a totally different story. Her life seems to have a direction, starting a new job everything seems on track until her home, the Zone a district in Baltimore, comes under attack from a mysterious pink glittering fog that causes people to act out in violence then collapse into a coma like state.

With an evil experimenting factory called Acme and a judge with a name like...well I'll let you discover that one for yourself...you can't take this story to serious. That being said, in the end, I was routing for the destruction of the diabolical, evil, demon possessed grandmother and for all the comatose victims to wake up.

A fun, original, and somewhat cartoonish story that sucks you in, Damn Him to Hell was an enjoyable humorous action packed read. 3.5 Stars

This ARC copy of Damn Him to Hell was given to me by Pocket Books in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication June 25, 2013.

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Love, But Never by Josie Leigh (Never #1)

Love, but Never
by Josie Leigh

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Josie Leigh has created a touchingly deep story of a young woman coming of age and learning that life isn’t always good, and that previous disappointments may very well be a blessing in disguise, part of life’s lessons. In Love, But Never, Marissa has had so many disappoints in her life that she is afraid to believe that something good can happen to her. There are no magical fairies, werewolves or vampires in this novel, just a good story that will touch your heart in so many ways, especially when you read of her homelife, her past, her losses and her pain. Marissa settles for what she assumes love is, until, like a freight train, it comes rushing into her life and she finds she wants it, maybe too much. She has settled for an on again, off again long distance relationship that feels as comfortable as an old sweater. But it isn’t enough, there isn’t the spark she so desperately craves. Then, in walks Aaron. Read Love, But Never and you’ll understand what true coming of age is!
I felt Marissa’s pain, and saw the spark growing within her to stand up and stop being a doormat to those around her. I watched her grow from within and take a chance on living for herself. A tough road, with a long haul before the transformation is complete, but I felt it coming! Josie Leigh has shown us her heart in this book with her words. Her characters run the gamut, the weak, the bullies, the strong, the ones you could count on no matter what. Did I love this book? Oh yes! I want to thank Josie Leigh for allowing me to read and review this novel!

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Amethyst by Heather Bowhay (Guardians, #1)

Amethyst
by Heather Bowhay

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

From its eye catching cover to the last page, Amethyst is a gem of a book. Heather Bowhay has a strong start to her new YA series, Guardian. With a touch of romance, a touch of humor and lots of tension in the plot, Young Lexi finds she has supernatural powers and is essential to a special team of Guardians, each with uniquely different powers or essences. Lexi is a rare Amethyst, with the power to heal and strengthen others. She also has the power to see the future, which may come in handy in the Guardians’s fight against the evil rapachious leeches who feed on the Essence of others. Will Lexi come into her full powers in time to make a difference in the fight against evil? Who is the mysterious Ash, who has caught her eye?
Heather Bowhay did a great job building her world, making it believable and a little mysterious! The pace had a nice flow, although at times, the dialogue seemed slightly formal for a teen. I am impressed with Ms. Bowhay’s style and look forward to the next book in this series when I hope to learn more about Ash! I’d like to thank Goodreads and Ms. Bowhay for the opportunity to read and review Amethyst! Publication Date: October, 2012

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Perverse by Larry Rodness

Perverse
by Larry Rodness

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Creative! Imaginative! Clever and intense! Perverse by Larry Rodness has what it takes to be called all of that and more! Have you ever heard of a second generation Goth? That idea alone had me! Emylene Stipe is a Goth Princess, daughter to the ‘royalty’ of the Toronto Goths. Her Goth society prominent parents held sway over the city from their Goth club. Little did Emylene know that her world was going to shift into another dimension when she purchased an old sketch that seemed to call to her, there was NO way the picture was changing or moving, right? And what is it about the strange old shopkeeper who sold her the sketch? After bizarre things begin to happen, Emylene knows there is something about the picture that transcends the world as she knows it. The shop keeper, Lazlo, tells her of a curse that only she can break, and it involves the sketch. Laszlo and Emylene must team up to help save Toronto from the chaos that has been unleashed upon it. But can she trust him? What if things don’t go right?
Full of fantasy and darkly intriguing, Perverse is a fresh escape from reality into a world that Larry Rodness has brought forth with vivid details, a little humor and a lot of eerie moments. His ability to hold my attention throughout is to be commended as he deftly drew his characters and unfolded his plot, creating twists and turns that rival the best mazes. Great YA reading with a dash of mystery, fantasy, and a strong heroine who you can’t help but love, right down to her black nail polish! Thank you for allowing me to review this work! 4.5 well-earned stars! Publication Date: December 31, 2012

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Take it Like A Vamp by Candance Havens

Take it Like a Vamp 
by Candace Havens

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Cassie Meyers lately has a run of bad men in her life, complete losers. She wishes for a man like her neighbor Nick. Nick has become Cassie's best friend but he's rich, has beautiful woman swarming him and is the ruler of the Supernatural Council.

Nick thinks Cassie is the perfect woman but he doesn't want to pull her into his dangerous world. One mistake and his feelings for Cassie are exposed, creating a bullseye on Cassie for all his enemies. The choice of keeping Cassie close is taken away when he must guard her from his supernatural world.

This was an interesting and enjoyable story. It seemed like a slow building romance with a little bit of paranormal on the side...causing the antagonism. Cassie was a fun loving and humorous character, who seemed to roll with the punches rather well.

I did find the supernatural side of this story had a good start but it seemed to lack focus making the story a little jumping. This distracted me from forming any personal connections to the characters. I also found the ending abrupt leaving lots of open ended plot directions.

Take It Like A Vamp was a good start to what could be an extremely interesting series. It has tons of potential and an exciting premiss.

I received this copy of Take it Like a Vamp from Entangled Publishing, LLC - Covet in exchange for a honest review. This book published May 20, 2013.

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Celestine: The House on rue du Maine by F. J. Wilson

Celestine: The House on rue du Maine
by F.J. Wilson

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Celestine: The House on Rue du Maine is an intriguing historical romance/struggle for survival set in New Orleans between the years 1795 to 1858. New Orleans was part of the French territories in the West and under provincial control, later passing into the hands of the American government. Women had no political or legal power and any type of independence or power was rare and hard won through their own intelligence and daring. Young Celestine was the daughter of a street whore, often abused and neglected, but her grit and determination to live a better life took her to the gates of a convent of compassionate nuns who took her in and helped pave the way to the woman she would become. Determined to be well-educated and free to think for herself, Celestine never thought of marriage until her best friend found a handsome young sea captain and she had her first look at what a marriage could really be. Maurice was an older, well-traveled and successful sea captain whose past was marred with pain, grief and loss, yet had been blessed with the love of a special woman who helped him heal and move on. The relationship between Celestine and Maurice grows slowly, and I found their romance endearing, his patience super-human and her reluctance out of the fear of the unknown to be often frustrating, yet it demonstrated her need to have control over her life. When Maurice’s secrets from his past are revealed, it is left to Celestine to deal with the fallout she has unknowingly made worse. Enter a pirate, handsome, bold and a legendary figure who is smitten with Celestine, coming to her aid and becoming a romantic rival for Maurice. Will her love for the missing Maurice tear her apart or will it be a pillar she finds strength from through her difficult life choices?
F. J. Wilson has blended history, romance and a little erotica into a tale of a woman who forges her way through a man’s world in any way she can. Her love and loyalty to those around her, her sense of responsibility to others is admirable, regardless of what one might think of her choices in life. Celestine is, in her own way, a strong role model who learned to use her femininity, as well as her brains to beat the ‘rules’ of the times and nudge many men of power to do her bidding. I was taken back in time to a world far different, smelling the smells, feeling the emotions and learning to appreciate each character for the role they played! This is intense reading, filled with ‘touchy’ subjects and true grit. I want to thank F. J. Wilson for offering this book to Tome Tender for review!

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The Winners of Maggie Thom's CAPTURED LIES are....

Laura V.

&

Beth D.

Congratulations!

ABOUT CAPTURED LIES

Pages:  301

Publisher:   Quadessence Solutions

Publication Date:  First Edition (revised March 2013) edition (October 15, 2012)

ASIN: B009RPTFIC

 "Maggie Thom writes a fast-paced thriller that is laced with romance and keeps the reader interested and on the edge..." InDtale Magazine

***************

She was kidnapped not once but twice and now someone wants her dead because of it....
Her life was a lie!
Bailey knew her upbringing wasn’t normal but she’s worked hard to stabilize her life. At 29, she finally has a good business, a stable home; her life is miles from that of her childhood. Then suddenly her mother dies, leaving a gaping hole and a discovery that they may not even be related. If Guy, the private investigator is to be believed, her life is a lie. Using the skills she learned on the streets, Bailey travels back through a sketchy and dangerous past, to find answers. Dodging bullets, staying ahead of those who want her dead and convincing Guy she can do it alone, are making it difficult to discover not only the secrets of her mother’s past but that of a family claiming she is theirs.
Everyone seems to have a story... but who’s telling the truth? And who wants her dead? Is Guy part of the solution? Or part of the problem? To discover the facts, she’ll have to untangle a web of deceit, lies, and secrets, dating back over thirty years.

The Winners Are... Shelley S. and Anastacia Z. Paperback Copy of A Spear of Summer Grass

The Winners are...

Shelley S.

Anastacia Z.

About A Spear of Summer Grass 

• Pages: 384 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin MIRA 
• Published Date: April 30, 2013
• ISBN13: 9780778314394
• 
  

New York Times bestselling author of the Lady Julie Grey series enters a new era with A Spear of Summer Grass.

Paris, 1923 

The daughter of a scandalous mother, Delilah Drummond is already notorious, even amongst Paris society. But her latest scandal is big enough to make even her oft-married mother blanch. Delilah is exiled to Kenya and her favorite stepfather’s savannah manor house, until gossip subsides.

Amidst the wonders—and dangers—of Africa, Delilah awakes to a land out of all proportion: extremes of heat, darkness, beauty and joy that cut to her very heart. Only when this sacred place is profaned by bloodshed does Delilah discover what is truly worth fighting for—and what she can no longer live without.

If you blend glamour from The Great Gatsby and romance from “Out of Africa,” you are beginning to grasp the stunning new novel that is A Spear of Summer Grass.

ARC Review - A Kiss of Blood by Pamela Palmer (Vamp City #2)

A Kiss of Blood
by Pamela Palmer

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Quinn Lennox vowed to never return to Vamp City but the only way to save her brother is for her to renew the magic. Focusing on saving her brother, Quinn returns to face the horrors of a world failing and its inhabitants deteriorating.

Arturo has been keeping a close watch on Quinn, but when they are reunited the distrust of his betrayal is almost too much. With her brother's life on the line, Quinn must learn to trust those around her including Arturo.

Discovering a world with more worth saving, finding allies in unlikely places and making promises she must keep or die trying Quinn is about to face the challenge that could cost her her life.

A Kiss of Blood is an intriguing and exciting story of parallel, paranormal world on the brink of destruction. The story is fast paced and suspense filled. I did find the ending anti-climatic, of course holding us till then next installment...but somewhat disappointing. I liked, leaning toward really liked this story so I'm giving A Kiss of Blood 3.5 stars.

I received this ARC copy of A Kiss of Blood from Avon in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication June 25, 2013.

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Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon
Publish Date: June 25, 2013
ISBN10: 0062107534
ISBN13: 9780062107534

ARC Review - Dare You To by Katie McGarry (Pushing the Limits #2)

Dare You To
by Katie McGarry

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Imagine being the object of a dare between a group of high school boys, then imagine beating them at their own game and walking away with free food while doing it! Katie McGarry sucks the reader into her world on just such a dare in her latest book, Dare You To, so get ready for a bumpy ride full of angst, laughs, and a swoon worthy story of young love. When a dare brings Beth and Ryan together their worlds collide and their very foundations are rocked! From two seemingly different backgrounds, these two seem on the edge of either kissing or killing each other every time they are together. Beth is tough as nails on the outside, hardened by a childhood no one deserves, but inside she is loving, loyal and just plain scared to truly give herself over to someone. Ryan is the ultimate jock with a group of friends who love to have fun, but stick by each other. His life seems perfect on the outside, but is it? After all, he comes from a highly respected family, has a strong sense of purpose, goals, and a bright future, but there is a dark side to his life he rarely shares. Can these two really learn the meaning of ‘sharing’-as in sharing the good, the bad and the ugly? Who has the most to lose or gain, Beth or Ryan?
Katie McGarry has created characters that need healing, need to trust, especially in Beth, a young girl who has seen more in her short lifetime than most of us will ever see. Ryan’s ‘perfect gentleman’ veneer hides the truth of his life at home. The satellite characters have a depth to them that supports the main characters well. I truly believed the story, felt the pain, the love, the frustration and cheered when all the cards were put on the table. This story is non-stop emotionally and physically, twisting down a path that kept me on the brink the entire way. Whether you are Team Beth or Team Ryan, you will love this book! I Dare You To read it!

An Advanced Reader’s Copy was provided by NetGalley and Harlequin Teen in exchange for my honest review. Publication Date: May 28, 2013.

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The Color Keepers by Catriona Crehan

The Color Keepers
by Catriona Crehan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Catriona Crehan has a fun and fantastical imagination! Tossing in some sibling rivalry, honest to goodness 'tween' dialogue and some young romance, The Color Keepers is a journey through a fantasy world that is perfect for younger readers, but still a whimsical escape for all readers! Emily, her pesky brother James and her crush Sam go on an adventure full of color and wonder as they are tasked with a mission that takes them into a realm with an evil Crow Queen and colorful sisters who each hold a piece to the success of the mission.

This is a tale that is both charming and often humorous with lessons to be learned as well as personal growth for its characters. Written with a sense of excitement and adventure, this is a book that is sure to please and hook the reader form page one with its vivid detail and great pace! For younger readers, the length is just right, for older readers, this is a beautiful quick escape into pure fantasy! Wonderfully entertaining, cute, sweet, original!

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Falling for Backup: An Assassins Series Novella Cover Reveal

Falling for the Backup: 
An Assassins Series Novella
by Toni Aleo
Loveswept – Random House | June 24, 2013 | $0.99


Toni Aleo’s sexy new eBook original novella featuring the Nashville Assassins will have you believing in the power of love at first sight . . . and second sight . . . and third.

After serving as a dutiful bridesmaid in the wedding from hell, Aynslee Shaw just wants to slink home to Nashville and forget the whole trip. That is until the hottest guy she’s ever seen is seated next to her on the flight and charms her with his easy laugh and killer smile. But just when she thinks things are getting good, he vanishes, leaving Aynslee wondering, was that guy the one? And did she just let him slip through her fingers?

Former superstar goalie Jordan Ryan is back on the ice—finally. After a crippling knee injury that had him wondering if he’d ever play pro hockey again, he’s got his full attention on rebuilding his career. So a pretty—okay, beautiful—girl on a plane shouldn’t be a distraction. But Jordan is very, very distracted. And when Aynslee crosses his path again, he’s not sure any job in the world is worth missing his second chance with a woman like her.

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The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa (Blood of Eden #1)

The Immortal Rules
by Julie Kagawa

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Julie Kagawa has given us a dark twist on the vampire genre with book one of the Blood of Eden series, The Immortal Rules.. After a virus hits the world, vampires take over and humans are nothing but a feeding ground for them. There are those who live off the grid, refuses to 'register' with the vamps.

One such member of the rebels is Allison, who must learn to scavenge for food, live off her wits, protect those she cares about, until she is caught and turned into one of the monsters she hates.

She escapes and hides amongst humans, fighting her craving all the way.

This is a strong and intriguing start to what appears to be a truly creative and ingenious twist to the traditional 'vampire' tale! Very well-developed characters run the gamut of personalities, with Allison showing such depth of character throughout her change and the ensuing events that run non-stop to the end!  So good, I read it twice!

A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Harlequin in exchange for my honest review. Publication Date: March 26, 2013.

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