REMAKE BY ILIMA TODD - BLOG TOUR / REVIEW!!

I am so excited to be part of this tour!  

DESCRIPTION:

Male or Female?

Nine is the ninth female born in her batch of ten females and ten males. By design, her life in Freedom Province is without complications or consequences. However, such freedom comes with a price. The Prime Maker is determined to keep that price a secret from the new batches of citizens that are born, nurtured, and raised androgynously. 

But Nine isn’t like every other batcher. She harbors indecision and worries about her upcoming Remake Day—her seventeenth birthday, the age when batchers fly to the Remake facility and have the freedom to choose who and what they’ll be. 

When Nine discovers the truth about life outside of Freedom Province, including the secret plan of the Prime Maker, she is pulled between two worlds and two lives. Her decisions will test her courage, her heart, and her beliefs. Who can she trust? Who does she love? And most importantly, who will she decide to be?

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

I go into every book I get for review expecting greatness.  I was certainly not let down!

Well, this book definitely had greatness and more:)!  It was exciting, different, and compelling to me.  I think I got a few messages out of this book, whether it was intended or not.  I love it when a book does that to me.

Nine lives in a world where people are born in batches.  10 men, 10 females.  Nine, and Theron were born from the same batch and are best friends.  Where they live everyone is the same.  Except Nine.  Everyone has shaved head and fair skin.  Nine has a shaved head but when her hair grows she has red hair.  She also has freckles.  She is different and stands out.  Every person is born with a gender, but can decide to change everything about themselves, or nothing on the day of their REMAKE.  They can decided to change their hair color, eye color, remove freckles (in Nines case), and they can decided if they want to change their gender.

There is no real conflict.  Every person knows their place, and does their job, and when they reach the age of their REMAKE that is when their life begins.  They get to choose a trade they want to be in after they are remade and live their lives separate from the batches.

Something happens on Nine, and Theron's REMAKE day that changes everything Nine has ever known.  This is when the book gets so exciting.  It's a great ride to go on.  Nine must figure out if living the life she has always led is really what she wants or if she wants "freedom".

Okay, this book made me just smile at the beginning.  Nine and her best friend Theron do everything together.  Nine doesn't like being different and Theron always reminds her that she is beautiful just the way she is.  He tell her she can be anything she wants to be.  I know this may sound silly but it kind of reminded me about the book "The Sneetches" by Dr. Seuss.  Some of the Sneetches get stars on their bellies and think they are better than everyone who doesn't have a star.  She felt as though she didn't have  star.  Then when they all have stars, no one can tell who is who.  Why would anyone want to be anything other that what they were born to be?  Nine apparently.  That is until she gets her first real taste of "freedom".

Nine finds out what it would be like to live a life outside of  Freedom Province.  I love the view of the "real" world in this book.  It takes you back to the basics.  With people tracking Nine she knows that the people she is surrounded by could be in danger.  Nine has to decide if she wants to go back to her life or stay in her new surroundings, where she has found something unique and wonderful.

This is such a great story, about love, family, being different, and finding out who you really are.  It has some great twists and turns in it, and romance as well :).  I always like that.  This book made me think about the "what ifs" of the world.  How there are so many people out there not satisfied with the life they have been given.  BUT, it also made me think about all those out there who ARE happy to be who they are and how one person can make a difference.  

Source:  I was given this book as part of a tour, in return for an honest review.  I was not compensated in anyway for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.  Thanks goes to iRead Book Tours, and Shadow Mountain publishing for allowing me to enjoy this book. 

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

   

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ilima Todd was born and raised on the north shore of Oahu and currently resides in the Rocky Mountains. She never wanted to be a writer even though she loves books and reading. She earned a degree in physics instead. But the characters in her head refused to be ignored, and now she spends her time writing science fiction for teens. When she is not writing, Ilima loves to spend time with her husband and four children.

Connect with Ilima:
Website  ~   Facebook  ~  Twitter 

REVIEW - THE LAZARUS EXPERIMENT BY MARK DEGASPERI

pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

In 2084, in Upstate New York, Dr. Jonathan Kelton, scientist and chemistry professor, returns home after spending a year in a coma. He has literally been put back together after a catastrophic explosion in his home lab, an event that remains mysterious to him. Under the care of the enigmatic Dr. Rose, he discovers strange gaps in his recent memory -- even as he tries desperately to re-bond with his wife, with whom he was in a faltering marriage, and his seven-year-old son. When the body of his one-time 28-year-old, female graduate student surfaces in the Hudson River after a storm -- having been mutilated and submerged a year earlier -- Jonathan is devastated to find himself accused of her murder. In fact, as he pieces together memories on his own -- with the aid of a remote psychiatric device he creates for himself -- he starts to recall details of a possessive and dangerous affair with her; in the face of a jealous boyfriend, a demanding, drug addict half-brother, a possibly sinister connection to a bomb plotter at their own university, and also, the girl’s own increasingly sadomasochistic tendencies. Even as he worries that the doctor’s radical, experimental surgery has left him subject to some form of mind control because of his memory lapses, Jonathan tries to race the police to find out who murdered this scared and wayward girl, to protect himself and his family. Did he ever really know the truth? Can he find out who does? Or could he himself really be the killer?

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

This book was a total mind trip for me.  I really really enjoy books that make me think.  

Dr. Johnathan Kelton wakes up after spending a year in a coma.  He has no real memory of what happened to him.  When he is released from the hospital and goes home to his wife Diana, and his son Henry.  Things never seem quite right with Johnathan.  He is not quite himself.  He has literally been put back together through scientific means after the fire his lab.

Johnathan, can't remember anything, and is searching for answers about what happened to him.  His wife Diana tries to keep everything as normal as possible at home.  He knows that things were not quite right with him and his wife before the fire, but cannot remember what happened.  When a girl washes up after being submerged under water for a year, the name seems a bit familiar to Johnathan but he cannot place it.  In his search to find out what exactly happened to him facts about the girl who washed a shore, and his life begin to intertwine.

This is when the book gets trippy.  Johnathan finds out he is the prime suspect in the murder of this girl, and is determined to clear himself and find out what happened to the girl.

The story takes you on a ride though Johnathan's past, and brings us up to speed on what really happened to Johnathan, his wife, and the dead girl.

Just when you think you have figured something out another plot twist comes into play.  I kept thinking I knew who the bad guy was and then bam....another twit.  It was awesome.

The ending totally surprised me.  It was hard for me to determine who the bad guy, and the killer were.  Were they the same or were they two or more people.    I enjoyed the ride this book took me on.  I love it when a book keeps me guessing about the outcome.

The thought of being able to be brought back to life and have your memories erased is a little crazy to me.  There are people in this book who experiment with things that just plain scare me.  I know it's just a book, but there is always that "WHAT IF" question.  :)

Content:  There is language in this book  and the "f" word is used a few times.  There is sexual content that is sometimes a bit too descriptive for my liking so just be aware if you are getting this book for a younger teenager.  BUT, in MY opinion it is an Adult book.

Source:  I was given this book by the author in return for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way for this review,  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mark DeGasperi has been a freelance script doctor, lecturer and professional story analyst in New York, reading screenplays, stage plays and books for film and TV adaptation. Most recently, he has worked for Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Robert DeNiro’s Tribeca Productions and Miramax Films. Previously, he has covered and scouted movie material for Universal Pictures, New Line Cinema, the former William Morris Agency (WME), International Creative Management, Jonathan Demme’s Clinica Estetico, Stanley Jaffe’s Jaffilms, Imagine Films and Polygram Films. He has taught the Master Class in Screenwriting, the thesis class for undergraduates, at the School of Visual Arts as well as Screenwriting III and Marketing Your Screenplay at NYU/SCPS. He has also lectured at Baruch College, the New York Institute of Technology, the Hudson Valley Writers Center and Learning Annex. He has received an NYU/SCPS Award for Service.

COLLIDE BY CHRISTINE FONSECA - REVIEW

pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

The most dangerous secrets are the ones that kill.

When a surprising mental breakdown draws too much attention from a secret government group call the Order, 17-year-old Dakota discovers that her so-called boring life isn’t so boring after all. Between the lies, secrets and assassins out to kill her family, Dakota discovers there’s more to paranormal activity than ghosts and cheap mind tricks. Now she must uncover the truth before a new breed of terrorism takes everything away – including her life.

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

WOW.  I don't know what else to say about what I just finished reading.  Okay, maybe something like "I WANT MORE"!  This book is FAN FREAKING TASTIC.  Yes, its a word, at least on this blog it is :).

My power went out tonight for over 3 hours, so what is a girl to do when the power is out?  Get her paper white Kindle and read :).  This was the book I chose to read.  I started it yesterday, but only got like two pages in before I had to put it down and do the mom thing...hehe.  It had already grabbed my interest so I was anxious to read it.   Lets just say I am SO glad the power went out.  It allowed me to read the rest of the book.  I couldn't put it down.

Dakota has sort of a mental breakdown and grabs too much unwanted attention, which forces her and her family to flee.  Dakota is totally in the dark about why her parents reaction to her behavior is so "dire" that they have to leave their home at that very moment.

While fleeing their home they are followed by "who knows who" and gunfire explodes around her.  She can hear the fear in her parents voices and they tell her to get out of the car when it slows and find her brother Josh.  Yes, just what every child wants right?  For their parents to tell them to jump out of a moving car in the middle of gun fire.  Gosh, this book had me on my toes the WHOLE time.  It was AWESOME.

When Dakota finally finds her brother Josh, her world is turned upside down again.  She finds out some things about her life that blow her mind.  Some she is able to deal with and some she just isn't.

This book messed with my mind.  The thought of being able to control things with my mind is more than I can wrap my head around.  Although I do think it would come in quite handy...sometimes.

Josh tries to help Dakota understand but Dakota is dealing with her own daemons along with finding out about her past.  She is having memories come to her in flashes that don't make sense.  She has abilities that are coming to her that she doesn't have control over.  It's all just so exciting.

While trying to escape they find a friend or ex-boyfriend :) on the way.  David.  I still don't know if I like David or not.  I guess, I do, but I just don't know if he is "really" a good guy or not.  He seems to be, but things are nothing what they seem in this book.

Man, I could go on forever and ever because I just want to tell you all the whole story :).  BUT, you are going to have to go grab a copy of this for yourself.

I loved this book.  It is action packed.  The story is so awesome, and I want the next one out like NOW.  I think I have been saying that a lot lately :).  I really do wish the next one was out right now, because I MUST know what happens.  MUST....I guess this is just what the author wants though right?  For me to be left wanting.  She did for sure.  The writing is amazing and so much fun to read.  I found myself holding my head a few times, thinking "WHAT just happened??????"  

It was FAN FREAKING TASTIC!

Source:  I was given this book by YA Bound Book Tours in return for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on this book.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

pic and bio taken from Goodreads

Critically acclaimed nonfiction and YA author Christine Fonseca is dedicated to helping children of all ages find their voice in the world. Drawing on her expertise as an educational psychologist, her nonfiction titles address issues of emotional intensity, resiliency and giftedness. In fiction, she explores the darker aspects of humanity and delivers gothic thrillers that take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. In life, she teaches her own children to embrace their unique talents and find their voice by being a force of positive change in the world.
When she’s not writing or developing programs to support children with exceptional needs, she can be found spending time with her family, sipping too many skinny vanilla lattes at her favorite coffee house or playing around on Facebook and Twitter. For more information about Christine Fonseca or her books, visit her website – http://christinefonseca.com or her blog http://christinefonseca.blogspot.com. 

A HUGE THANK YOU TO:

BLADE SINGER - BY MARTHA WELLS & AARON DE ORIVE - BLOG TOUR/REVIEW

 Tour Page & Schedule

Blade Singer 
by
Aaron de Orive & Martha Wells

202 pages

Manuel "Manny" Boreaux, a troubled adolescent from Texas, is magically transported into the body of a goblin pickpocket in an alternate world inhabited by faerie creatures. Manny must quickly adapt to the danger all around him and try to find a way to get back home, a feat complicated by the pickpocket's association with a notorious gang of thieves. But when Manny uncovers a plot to assassinate a young king, he must enlist the aid of an elf cavalier and a cat burglar to thwart a Sidhe witch's scheme to ignite a civil war between humans and the Fae.

Goodreads | Amazon

  MY REVIEW/THOUGHTS:

Manny was a kid who was going through a very hard time after loosing both parents in an accident.  He was left to live with his Aunt.  Manny was having a very hard time adjusting, and he found himself in a lot of trouble.

Manny goes into a bookstore that he likes to visit, and sees that there is someone new behind the counter.  Mr Gray.  Manny goes to the back of the store and empties his backpack while going through the books on the shelf.  Then he sees one he hasn't seen before.  It's old, mysterious, and so of course he has to grab the book and then.....

Manny is transported into a magical world.

Manny is not quite himself.  When he sees a reflection of himself yet he doesn't see a "boy" any more.  He had grown longer arms and pointed ears.  Evensong he encountered called him a goblin, yet he had all the memories of his "normal" life.  Things are very confusing for him, and he has to try and find a way back his world.  There and then the adventure begins. 

This was such a cute book.  I cannot wait to re-read it with my son.  He will love it.  I mean what isn't to love.  A young boy being transported to a magical world with magical creatures, and having magical adventures.  Yes, please!

I don't want to give anything away, but when I got to the end I was like "OOOOHHHH"!  It's just such a fun read.  I am always looking for things to read with my son that will keep his attention, and I believe this book will have the ability to do so.  

I do not think there was anything I didn't like about this book, other than it is definitely for a younger reader.  Thankfully I still LOVE reading those kinds of books.  I loved the magical world.  I loved to read about adventures.  I often wonder if all boys have stories like this running through their heads :). 

Source:  I received this book as part of a tour in return for an honest review.  I was not compensated for this review in anyway, and these are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

My Rating:

 

About the Authors:

A graduate of the University of Texas' film program, Aaron de Orive began his professional writing career in the video game industry, serving as a lead or senior writer on Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided, Tabula Rasa, Anarchy Online, and Star Wars: The Old Republic. He is also the creator of the fantasy role-playing game SHARD: World of the False Dawn. Blade Singer is his first novel. Aaron lives in Austin with his wife, daughter, and two very spoiled terriers.

Website | Twitter

Martha Wells is the author of a number of fantasy novels, including The Cloud Roads, The Siren Depths, The Wizard Hunters, Wheel of the Infinite, and the Nebula-nominated The Death of the Necromancer. Her YA fantasy, Emilie and the Hollow World, was published by Angry Robot/Strange Chemistry in April 2013, and the sequel, Emilie and the Sky World, was released in March 2014. Two collections of Books of the Raksura novellas will be published in September 2014 and Fall 2015. She has had short stories in Black Gate, Realms of Fantasy, Stargate Magazine, and Lightspeed Magazine, and in the anthologies Elemental, The Year's Best Fantasy #7, Tales of the Emerald Serpent and The Other Half of the Sky. She has essays in the nonfiction anthologies Farscape Forever, Mapping the World of Harry Potter, and Chicks Unravel Time. She has also written media-tie-in novels, Stargate Atlantis: Reliquary and Stargate Atlantis: Entanglement, and a Star Wars novel, Empire and Rebellion: Razor's Edge.

Website | Twitter | Live Journal

Giveaway:

(2) $25 Gift Cards to Amazon or B&N (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

HOSTED BY:

REVIEW FOR - NEST - BY ESTHER EHRLICH

pic and description taken from Goodreads

Description:

For fans of Jennifer Holm (Penny from Heaven, Turtle in Paradise), a heartfelt and unforgettable middle-grade novel about an irresistible girl and her family, tragic change, and the healing power of love and friendship. In 1972 home is a cozy nest on Cape Cod for eleven-year-old Naomi “Chirp” Orenstein, her older sister, Rachel; her psychiatrist father; and her dancer mother. But then Chirp’s mom develops symptoms of a serious disease, and everything changes.
   Chirp finds comfort in watching her beloved wild birds. She also finds a true friend in Joey, the mysterious boy who lives across the street. Together they create their own private world and come up with the perfect plan: Escape. Adventure. Discovery.
   Nest is Esther Ehrlich’s stunning debut novel. Her lyrical writing is honest, humorous, and deeply affecting. Chirp and Joey will steal your heart. Long after you finish Nest, the spirit of Chirp and her loving family will stay with you. 

My Review / Thoughts:

This is just such a sweet story.  I found myself connected to Chirp right away.  I know she was only in sixth grade, but as a mother I connected.

Chirp's mom is her hero.  She loves her with every once of her being.  The connection between Chirp and her mom is palpable.  It was amazing.  The writing is just so beautiful.  I was right there with Chirp through the whole book.  

Chirp's family, her sister Rachel, her mother Hannah, and father Dr. Orenstein are very close.  When Chirp's mother is diagnosed with MS the dynamic of the family changes dramatically.

Hannah has a very hard time with her diagnosis, and gets every depressed.  She only sleeps, and barley eats.  She was a vibrant woman, a dancer, and Chirp's hero.  Chirp all of the sudden finds herself  trying be the adult and lift the spirits of her mother.

The book just gets so sad.  I cannot image how hard it was on Rachel and Chirp to see their mother going through such a hard time.  One day they come home and their mother is no longer at home.  Their father had put her in a mental health institution.

Depression is such a real thing.  This book touches on some hard topics, especially for a little girl to go through.  Chirp always seems so strong.

Joey is Chirps neighbor and she isn't too sure about him, but they develop a sweet friendship.  Well one that is a love hate relationship, and actually kind of funny.  I love that Joey watches out for Chirp.  He is a punk kid, but is the best friend he knows how to be for a sixth grader.

When something very traumatic happens in Chirps family she decides to run away, and Joey goes with her.  Joey's life isn't rainbows and butterflies either.  His father is a horrible person.  He isn't discussed as a specific character, but as a background, and he is mean, and horrible.  My heart aches for Joey.

There are so many situations in this book, that I was over powered sometimes with emotion about what these kids have to go through.  The situations were so grown up, but so important for children to recognize.  

Chirp is my favorite character by far.  She is sweet, determined, loving, and just an all around good girl.  My heart aches for her.  I just wanted to crawl into my book and put my arms around her and tell her it would be okay.  Silly I know it's just a book.  That is how amazing the writing is in this book.  I really felt like I was right there the whole time.  

Such a sweet story, of family and the trials they go through.  A story of heartache and how to recover from it.  Such beautiful writing.

Source:  Thank you to Penguin Random House Publishing & Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.  I was given this book in return for an honest review.  I was not compensated in anyway for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

My Rating:

Where to Buy:

 

About the Author:

pic and bio taken from Goodreads

Esther Ehrlich's debut novel, Nest, is forthcoming from Wendy Lamb Books/Random House in September 2014. Ehrlich was born and raised in Boston, graduated from Vassar College, and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.

Thanks To:

UNREQUITED BY EMILY SHAFFER - BOOK TOUR

Unrequited

by Emily Shaffer

Release Date: 09/23/14

Swoon Romance

Summary from Goodreads:

In the town of Belle Ridge there are doctors, lawyers and teachers... but there is only one vampire. Will Leighton has become an expert in making a life for himself amongst the unsuspecting small-town inhabitants, as the high school history teacher. He has spent hundreds of years crafting an identity and routine that make him feel almost human, but he is always missing that important final element, love.

Ashton Wallace is beautiful, smart, and angry. She was forced into an eternal existence, and now her family has moved her away from everything and everyone she knows. In Belle Ridge she is supposed to finish high school and start her life again, but how do you make plans for the next several centuries?

Will has never met another of his kind, and is immediately intrigued by Ashton. He longs to show her that the perceived vampire lifestyle, so popular in storybooks, is far from reality...but will she let him be a friend and guide in this new existence? Can Ashton accept Will into her life, or will she be led astray by a dark stranger with whom she shares an unknown connection?

Add to Goodreads

Excerpt:

In the town of Belle Ridge, there were doctors, lawyers, and teachers. But there was only one vampire, and he happened to be the high school history teacher.

Will Leighton always loved the start of a new school year. Classes were set to begin the next day, and as he looked around his classroom at the empty chairs, he smiled as he imagined them filled with chattering young people. He always looked forward to catching up with former students and getting to know new ones. The sense of community he felt as a teacher was the only thing that came close to making him feel like he was part of something, like he belonged.

Will was an outsider, and he knew it. No matter how many friends he made or local groups he joined, there was always a thread of solitude running through everything he did. The loneliness had a certain feeling to it. It wasn’t quite sad, or depressing, it was more like he was adrift with nothing he could truly connect to. But on this day, somewhere in his two-hundredth or so year on Earth, Will felt something he never had before: familiarity. Something in himself was being pulled, as though by a magnet, toward a nearby presence. Could it be that after so many years, Will Leighton wasn't alone anymore?

Buy Links:

Amazon

About the Author

Whether writing stories to entertain her younger siblings, or typing up an essay for a class, Emily Shaffer has been a writer for as long as she can remember.  Her stories may have changed from talking cartoon frogs to angsty young adults, but her goal to write a compelling story remains the same.  When not writing, she lives in Nashville and enjoys all the music, food, and excitement that city has to offer.  Her first novel, the well-received chick-lit title That Time of the Month was self-published on Amazon in 2012.  Her latest novel, as the others before, are fueled by diet soda and pie.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

a Rafflecopter giveaway

YA Bound Book Tours

RELEASE DAY BLITZ - THE LAST SEER - BY CERECE RENNIE MURPHY

We're celebrating the RELEASE for

The Last Seer by Cerece Rennie Murphy!

Would you want to hold the future of the world in your hands? 
Read more about the Order of the Seers Trilogy below and enter the fabulous giveaway!

The Order of the Seers Trilogy & Review Opportunity

In Order of the Seers (Book I), the Trilogy begins with a family tragedy that sends a brother and sister on a perilous journey to escape an organization that will stop at nothing to destroy all that is left of their family. From there, the story quickly expands into a global conspiracy that extends from the suburbs of Oregon to the plains of rural Tanzania. Order of the Seers: The Red Order (Book II), continues the story of the Seers as their freedom reveals a deeper meaning and purpose for their power that could alter the course of human evolution. The epic conclusion of the Trilogy, Order of the Seers: The Last Seer was released today, September 30, 2014.

Would you like to review the series? Find out more by clicking on the image below:

The Last Seer

(Order of the Seers #3)
by Cerece Rennie Murphy

Adult/NA SciFi

September 30th 2014

The Seers face their greatest challenge in the final chapter of the Order of the Seers trilogy…

When the fall of one nemesis unleashes an even greater danger into the world, Lilli, Joel and the Lost Seers must stand against a new enemy with the means and the will to destroy all of mankind, starting with those they hold most dear.

As the Seers mobilize to confront this new evil, the Guild tries desperately to uphold the crumbling world order on which it depends. When their attempts to manage the crisis fail, the members of the Guild are forced to place themselves at the mercy of an unlikely ally.

But the Guild isn’t the only one interested in maintaining control.

An agreement made in secret threatens to destroy any hope of a peaceful alliance before it can be made and as the betrayals unfold, no one is safe against a power that will stop at nothing to get what it wants. To defeat this threat and ensure the survival of the human race, the Seers must push the boundaries of their abilities beyond any limits they have known and risk crossing the line between life and death.

How far would you go to protect what matters most?

Amazon * Kindle * Barnes & Noble

  

Order of the Seers 

...begins with the journey of Liam and Lilith Knight, a brother and sister who are hunted by The Guild, a ruthless world organization that seeks to capture and exploit Lilith s unique ability as a Seer to envision the future. Soon after they are forced to leave their home, Lilith and Liam discover that she is not alone. Other Seers like Lilith are routinely kidnapped and enslaved by the Guild for the purpose of consolidating wealth and power around the world... see more on Goodreads

Praise for Order of the Seers

“Ms. Murphy's novel is an excellent example of why I love, not only indie authors, but debut authors so much. This book was fresh, hoppin' and a fun, yet engrossing read.” A Book and a Review, blog

"This story combines family, friendship, love, danger, discovery and loss all into one; and does it magnificently...As I was reading this, I felt immersed into Liam and Lilli's world and found myself rooting for them and their fight against the Guild."Luxury Reading, blog

Read Chapter 1 of Order of the Seers HERE.

The Red Order -

The Lost Seers embark upon a world-wide mission to save their kind from the tyranny of the Guild and unveil their greatest weapon - Developed in secret, The Restoration Project has the potential to awaken the supernatural ability within every man, woman, and child on earth and bring down the very foundation of the Guild’s power and authority.

But the Guild has other plans. Driven by the necessity for control, Crane Le Dieu creates The Red Order... see more on Goodreads.

Praise for The Red Order

With page-turning suspense, secrets revealed and noteworthy characters, Order of the Seers [The Red Order] is a must read for any supernatural fantasy fan. Tense, keen and gripping, Order of the Seers: the Red Order is highly recommended! – Minding Spot

I have to start out by saying if you haven't read Order of the Seers you have no idea what you're missing. The author has an uncanny knack for making the reader feel every bit a part of the story and feeling the characters' emotions….Order of the Seers is shaping up to be a fantastic series already and I highly recommend it. – A Thousand Lives Book Blog

Buy: Direct from Author * Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Cerece Rennie Murphy fell in love with science fiction at the age of seven, watching “Empire Strikes Back” at the Uptown Theater in Washington, D.C., with her sister and mom. It’s a love affair that has grown ever since. As an ardent fan of John Donne, Alice Walker, Kurt Vonnegut and Alexander Pope from an early age, Cerece began exploring her own creative writing through poetry. She earned her master’s degrees in social work and international relations at Boston College and Johns Hopkins School for Advance International Studies, respectively, and built a rewarding 15-year career in program development, management and fundraising in the community and international development arenas – all while appreciating the stories of human connection told in science fiction through works like Octavia Butler’s “Wild Seed,” Frank Herbert’s “Dune” and “The X-Files.” In 2011, Cerece experienced her own supernatural event - a vision of her first science fiction story. Shortly after, she began developing and writing what would become the “Order of the Seers” trilogy.

Cerece lives just outside of her hometown of Washington, D.C., with her husband, two children and the family dog, Yoda.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Blog * Google + * LinkedIn * Pinterest * Goodreads

Blitz Giveaway

- $20 Amazon Gift Card (INT)
- Paperback copies of the Order of the Seers Trilogy (US Only)
- Ebook copies of the Order of the Seers Trilogy (INT)
- Ends October 7th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

REVIEW FOR - THE BESTOWED ONES BOOK 1 - MIDNIGHT RUNES - BY CELESTE BUIE

pic and description taken from Goodreads

Description:

Brynn Emerson has always been in control of her life — until a mysterious stranger invades her dreams and her boyfriend, Trevor, suddenly dumps her. Life gets more complicated when secretive newcomer Landon shows up at school. The playful and handsome Landon is somehow connected to Brynn’s ex-boyfriend. Determined to find out how they know each other, Brynn draws closer to Landon… only to realize too late that she's risking more than she thought possible. 

Meanwhile, a person of power has his sights on Brynn. Will Trevor and Landon work together to keep her safe? Or will she be pulled against her will into their mysterious world?

My Review / Thoughts:

This book was a lot of fun to read.  Brynn has this wonderful boyfriend Trevor who all of the sudden starts making excuses about why he can't go out.  Brynn tries to understand but is beginning to feel more and more distant from Trevor.  At the end of Trevor's senior year he decides to break up with Brynn.

Trevor says it's to keep her safe.  Brynn doesn't understand what that means, and is determined to find out.  It's harder than she thought it would be because Trevor keeps avoiding her.

Brynn's summer didn't go exactly like she wanted it to, but she had finally come to terms with her and Trevor's break up, even though she still deeply cared about him

Senior year starts and in walks the dreamy new guy.  Landon.  Landon seems to worm his way into Brynn's life, and I was so glad.  Landon seems much more likable than Trevor.  Trevor was kind of bipolar.  He would want to talk to Brynn one moment, and in the next say he wasn't allowed to reveal anything, and disappear again.  He made me crazy.  

Brynn is plagued with the same dream over and over.  A mysterious man stand on the outside of the forest just waiting for her.  Brynn tries harder each time the dream comes to get closer to the man, to hopefully figure out who he or she or it is.  

With this dream other things start happening in Brynn's life.  She is determine to find out how Landon and Trevor know each other, and why they are always so secretive. 

I enjoyed this book.  There was romance, broken hearts, mystery, magic, and way too many unresolved issues :).  I  am anxiously awaiting the second book.  The book cannot end the way it did.  I need more like right now.  I need to know what happens between Brynn, Trevor and Landon.  It is bound to be even more exciting.

Source:  I would like to thank YA Bound Book Tours for the opportunity to review this book. I was given this book in return for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

My Rating:

About the Author:

pic and bio taken from Goodreads

Hi! I live in Michigan with my husband, our two sons, daughter-on-the-way, and huge adopted dog. We’ve lived in three cities within this beautiful state and have visited many of the places mentioned in the Bestowed Ones series. One of the most adventurous things I’ve done is horseback ride across the state on the Lake to Lake trail. I love traveling, giving back to the community, and taking on creative projects.

For exclusive content, announcements, and more, please visit www.celestebuie.com and sign up for my newsletter, as well as “like” my Facebook page www.facebook.com/celestebuieauthor

Thanks To: