Day 7

Day 7-Foreshadow by Brea Essex

Imagine discovering that your boyfriend was out to kill you—and that the annoying boy from school was your guardian angel.

Rae Davenport has already lost her mother.  The only thing keeping her sane is her new boyfriend, Andrei—that is, until she finds out that he wants to kill her.  Andrei is a devil, and he wants to use Rae as a sacrifice to get back into Heaven.  The only one who can save her is Logan, her guardian angel.  He’s only annoyed her in the past, but now he will be her savior.

Young Adult Paranormal

Word Count: 68,000

Today, February 7th, you can get Foreshadow for FREE. Go HERE and enter NG34G during checkout to get your free book!

Here’s what people are saying on Amazon:'

This I believe is Brea Essex's first book.Dont quote me on that though.Loved it.Could not put it down.I loved the characters Rae and Logan.I wish I had known more of their backstory a bit more though..I guess I wanted to know more at first about why she didn’t like Logan at first other then his arrogance.I would have liked a bit more fun in the book with the two of them but since this is book 1 I’m hoping there might be more of that in book two...mainly not wanting the book to end. All in All a great read.it sucks you in and takes you on an adventure that you don’t want to end. While reading the book it goes back and forth between characters in the chapters and unlike some books that can be confusing this is not. Excellent Work Brea Essex! This is a must read!

***

Foreshadow by Brea Essex is a face paced, exciting read. It was so good I actually had to force myself to stop reading. Many of you know I love angel novels. That is why Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick has been one of my favorites for years. It's actually my screensaver on my e-reader. That being said, for me at least, Foreshadow rivals even that. While I am forever fateful to the saga that is Hush, Hush, I must say that Foreshadow has exceeded Fallen on my small list of angel themed novels that I've read and enjoyed. The characters were dynamic, and I loved that the concept of angels presented in the story didn't overwhelm the action. It became secondaryu to the central conflict. Brea Essex has presented us with a novel that has actually managed to have a fresh play on the perception of angels, which is slowly but surely becoming overused in YA novels.

What astounded me about the novel was the fact that Brea didn't focus solely on the discovery of angels, and by making the story more focused on the relationships between the characters instead, she intices the readers, and makes you crave the second novel in The Shadow Imperium trilogy.

This is a must read. Brea's fresh ideas and writing style makes the story a quick, adrenaline pumping novel that exceeded my expectations by a mile.

If you are a frequent reader of my reviews, you know that my doling of 5/5 stars are few and infrequent. But this novel is one that shocked me in the most wonderful type of way. Brea Essex's Foreshadow has garnered the first 5/5 of the year for me, in fact the first 5/5 I've given in months. 
Congrats to the author for weaving such an incredible tale, congrats to the publisher for catching such a great novel, and congrats to anyone who has or plan to read this novel. This is an exceptional tale, and I for one, am excited to read the next in the series!

Happy Reading!

****

You can't help but feel for Raena as you discover she tragically lost her mom and is thrown into a ready made family who isn't all that great at helping her adjust to her new life. Thank God for her constant companion Nuada, her cat, the one thing she has left of her mom. Logan is a hottie, but a pain in her side, with his unstopping jokes and jabs. Enter mega hottie Andrei. He is perfect and interested in her! 
Okay so that's my mini synopsis, here's my ARC review; Some of the story may have changed as I read it before final edits were made, but I couldn't help falling in love with this story. Brea gives just the right amount of descriptive writing, I can't stand it when an author goes into to much detail! She makes you picture and drool over Andrei and be charmed by Logan and all his smokin' hotness. You empathize with Raena and find yourself tensed up waiting to see what happens on the next page. 
You won't be disappointed in Foreshadow, I can't wait to read my new e-book copy!

*

Day 6

Day 6-To Urn Her Love by Elaina Lee

Caylie Abrahms bad day gets worse when the teen brother she's responsible for proudly hands her a gift.  Just wanting to show how much he appreciates all his sister does for him, Kyle steals what he believes is an ornate glass vase.  The gift is anything but however, and now Caylie has to find the owner of an urn.  Worst yet, she has to explain her dear brother stole someones loved one.

Against all odds she learns the urn belongs to Rick Marshall, her best friend from college, the man she'd poured her heart out to and been rejected by.  She never thought she'd see him again, let alone have to hand him back his father in glass.  Will her resolve remain strong in his presence, or will she suffer another broken heart?

Short Story
Contemporary Romance


Today, February 5th, you can get To Urn Her Love for FREE. Go HERE and enter NF57C during checkout to get your free book!

Here’s what people are saying on Amazon:

 Considering the serious edge to the subject matter - a stolen urn and a troubled teen - I almost hate to fess up to the number of times TO URN HER LOVE made me laugh out loud. Suffice to say it happened a LOT. The story opens in one of those been-there-done-that moments, some version of which we've all found ourselves in a time or two. Then the initial conflict builds into one hysterical layer after another, culminating in a heart-warming resolution that will make you so glad you picked this one up. What's more, proceeds from this title currently benefit Alabama tornado relief. A fantastic story and a good deed all in one? You just can't feel anything but good about adding this one to your shelf!

****

To Urn Her love is a story about finding love in strange places. When Caylie Abrams' little brother decides to help her out by stealing a weird looking vase to sell, he places his sister in a predicament she never could have dreamed of.

Rick Marshall was her fantasy, the ultimate one that got away. Her humiliation over his rejection so many years ago has lessened, but never fully healed. Now that they have been thrown together by circumstances that nobody could have predicted, can they make their past wrong right?

I'm not usually a fan of shorter works. I find that the shorter length usually either doesn't allow enough detail for me to be interested, or is a frustratingly brief start to a story that could have been better told in a full length novel. 
Not so for To Urn Her Love. From page one, I was captivated by the characters that Elaina Lee has woven with so much detail they could leap off the page. The story unfolds with the right amount of back story to keep it interesting and let us know the characters, yet still gains momentum towards the major plot in a satisfying manner.

There are dashes of wry humour throughout, which made me laugh and enjoy the story more than if it had been a more serious tale - which; given the object around which the story centres, it could have easily been. The central character, Caylie is at some points heartbreakingly real. Saddled with far too many responsibilities, she took me on a journey that, although brief was satisfying and left a smile on my face. I'd recommend it for anyone wanting a lighthearted, fun read, and hope to see more from Elaina Lee in the future. 


****


When you read the synopsis for To Urn Her Love, you get a sense that you are about to read a somewhat serious story. A young boy, Kyle, steals a glass vase to give to his sister, Caylie, not knowing it is an urn with ashes in it. They then have to return the urn and admit to the theft to a man who broke Caylie's heart years ago. All I can do is hope that this story was written `tongue in cheek', because I found myself laughing a lot. This is a well written and enjoyable short story. I would definitely recommend To Urn Her Love.

Day 5

Day Five – Double Crossing by Meg Mims

A murder arranged as a suicide … a missing deed  … and a bereft daughter whose sheltered world is shattered.

August, 1869: Lily Granville is stunned by her father’s murder. Only one other person knows about a valuable California gold mine deed -- both are now missing. Lily heads west on the newly opened transcontinental railroad, determined to track the killer. She soon realizes she is no longer the hunter but the prey.

As things progress from bad to worse, Lily is uncertain who to trust—the China-bound missionary who wants to marry her, or the wandering Texan who offers to protect her … for a price. Will Lily survive the journey and unexpected betrayal?

Word Count: 69,000

Genre: Mystery, Romance, Historical

Today, February 5th, you can get Double Crossing for FREE. Go HERE and enter ND96D during checkout to get your free book! If you like this author, check out her contemporary Valentine’s Day romance, entitled The Key To Love, now available at www.astraeapress.com

Here’s what people are saying on Amazon:

Double Crossing is a fantastic read. I've rarely seen an author craft chapter endings with such gripping suspenseful moments that force you to turn the page, breathless to know what is going to happen. The characters are layered and intriguing. I hope there is a sequel because I want to know more about sexy, fascinating Ace Diamond, the honorable Texan gunslinger.

Mims' crisp style propels the action and delivers a well-rounded protagonist in Lily. But just because the prose is tailored like one of Lily's beautiful dresses doesn't mean Mims skimps on luxurious details and time-appropriate accessories. Authenticity abounds in the food, the clothing, the topics of conversation--something which has always impressed me about historicals when they are done well. (I can't fathom the amount of research Mims must have done for this story.)

At every step of the way, I was right there, riding the rails into the wild West on my way to California to hunt down a murderer. Since Lily is almost as much of a neophyte to this world as I, it was easy to experience the thrills and chills of the setting through her senses.

And, take note of the ending because it will certainly make you ready for the next book!

I love historical fiction and that is one thing that made this book so interesting. The story begins when Lily hands her father a message from her uncle about a mine in California. She distrusts her father's lawyer, who saved his life in the war. A short time later she hears a shot, sees the lawyer running out of the house and finds her father dead. If that isn't bad enough her father's disowned sister shows up and makes life miserable. Lily decides she is headed to California to her uncle's. Unfortunately someone is following her. She isn't sure who to trust. Although she makes friends with Kate and a ruffian she has hired to protect her, named Ace.

The character's were so believable. I felt so sorry for her when her aunt showed up. I felt even sorrier for her with Charles trailing around like a lost puppy dog. I loved Lily. She never said she wasn't afraid. She did however focus on what was happening and take control of situations the best she could. I loved the way the book ended leaving it open for another book. Hello, I still waiting for the next one, (tapping my foot with impatience in anticipation of the next work from this author). I will definitely look for more from this author.

I am a sentimental person. I wonder if Meg in her research came across Turkey Run in Indiana? I know exactly where it is. I am from a farm in Indiana and my family and I spent many happy summers camping at Turkey Run, which became a state park in 1916. Well done, Meg. You hooked me with that little tidbit.

Day 4

Day Four – Deal With the Devil Part 1 by J. Gunnar Grey

Wehrmacht Major Faust has a dangerous secret: he likes England. But it’s May 1940 and his Panzers are blasting the British Army off Dunkirk’s beach, so he keeps his mouth shut even though it hurts. When the Waffen SS try to murder their English prisoners of war, Faust helps the POWs escape. Now it’s treason, with his neck on the line.

Then a friend gets him drunk, straps him into a parachute, and throws him out over Oxford during a bombing run. He’s quickly caught. Because he helped type the battle plan for the invasion of England, Faust cannot allow himself to be broken in interrogation. Two German armies depend on it. But every time he escapes, someone rapes and murders a woman and the English are looking for someone to hang. He’s risking disaster if he stays, someone else’s life if he runs, and execution by the Gestapo if he makes it home.

Major Stoner, professor turned British intelligence officer, sees three possibilities. Faust perhaps was joyriding in that bomber, as he claims. Or he’s on a reconnaissance mission for the German invasion. Or he’s a spy. Stoner must break Faust to learn the truth, no matter how it strains his old heart. He must save England, and his granddaughter.

Their battlefield is confined to a desktop. Only one of them can win. Someone must break. Someone must make a Deal with the Devil.

Word Count: 85,706

Genre: Mystery, War Story, Historical

Today, February 4th, you can get Deal With the Devil Part One for FREE. Go HERE and enter ZH93P during checkout to get your free book! If you like this book, check out the next installment of the book, in Part Two, now available at www.astraeapress.com, Amazon.com and BN.com.

Here’s what people are saying on Amazon:

Deal With the Devil by J. Gunnar Grey was a remarkable surprise. After hearing so many wonderful things about it, I was indeed looking forward to reading it. I was also expecting a certain amount of difficulty as it is nowhere near my usual read.

Major Faust is intoxicated when he is thrown from a plane and is parachuted to an area that is familiar to him, England, where he had attended the university some number of years prior. Now Faust is captured and interrogated because of his status with the German Army.

As I went deeper into this novel, I found myself captivated with Major Faust. He endures much through his time as a captive. He risks his very life to help the English prisoners of war escape when they were being murdered by the Waffen SS and faces many other decisions of the like throughout the novel.

Faust does manage escape for himself, but every time he does, someone rapes and murders another woman. He is left with the heart wrenching choice to work with the enemy to catch the killer, which is treason, or save himself.

I must admit that I lack a high level of knowledge when it comes to the details of World War II, but author, J. Gunnar Grey, knows plenty and walked me through a beautifully written novel where I felt that I understood the characters and the time perfectly.

I would recommend this book to fans of historical fiction as well as readers who would like the pleasure of expanding their horizons in a very pleasurable and meaningful way.

****

Wow!!! It's scary how much I am enjoying this book. Amazing Author and an amazing read; thank you Mrs. Grey for the wonderful book. You have won a life-long fan.

****

I love history.

What's not to like about a premise like this, when a German soldier is captured in England during World War II? The details in this book are spot on, the characters fascinating--major (heh heh, forgive the pun) and minor--with plenty of emotion and tension between the protagonist, German prisoner Major Faust, and a retired but brought back to serve Englishman, Major Stoner. The suspense is well crafted also, and I didn't want to stop reading. The romance is "on hold" for now, given the heroine, Jennifer, is grieving the murder of her sister. When a second murder occurs, and both killings occur when Faust is "on the loose" -- well, I've got my list of suspects. I hope for a few more twists before the end!

The best part of Grey's writing are the wonderful, evocative setting descriptions - not overdone, just right, giving the reader the sense of being there. Next is her deft handling of Point of View, where characters take part in the search for the escaped Faust, and stumble upon the murder scenes. Great name for the hero, by the way. I highly recommend this book.

Can't wait to read Part 2!

Day 3

Day Three – Legend of the Oceina Dragon

Darien Oceina is the youngest son of the Great Dragon Lord of the Water. For years he's loved and cherished Tai Dawson from afar. Tai is a simple, ordinary girl who doesn't even know Darien exists. On his eighteenth birthday, he chooses her as his wife. But there’s one problem: She thinks his choice means she's going to be offered as a sacrifice to the Dragon Lord, but instead, she’s forced to move to his home, far away, to give up her life and be his bride.

When she first sees Darien after the ceremony, she doesn’t expect to feel anything but hatred toward him. The two are struggling with the complications of a new marriage when their nation is attacked by a rival dragon species. Together they learn to love one another while they struggle to stay one step ahead in a game where the prize is their survival.

Word count: 57,500

Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal

Today, February 3rd, you can get Legend of the Oceina Dragon for FREE. Go to Smashwords and enter  YQ79Z  during checkout to get your free book! This is the first in the Dragon Saga.  If you like this book, check out the next installment, entitled The Legend of the Inero Dragon, now available at www.astraeapress.com 

Here’s what reviewers are saying on Goodreads:

Wow! That's the only thing I could say after finishing the book. 


Mrs. Jenkins has created a brilliantly original story that is full of romance, mystery, powerful emotions, great characters, and dragons! This is the second series I've read about dragons, Eragon being the first. While Eragon was interesting and action filled, Legend of the Oceina is full of the love and romance that those books were missing. If you are anywhere near the romance junkie I am, this book will definitely not disappoint! I loved all the characters and could relate to them. The emotions they felt were palpable. Every detail is layed out perfectly, the dialog is great, and the descriptions are fantastic! Incredible world building, too! And have I mentioned that I love the gorgeous covor? Unfortunately, my Nook only displays it in black and white and does not do it justice. 


Another thing I love about the story is how the characters develop throughout the novel. Darien loves Tai before they ever meet, and his love for her only grows. *Swoon* Tai doesn't love Darien right off the bat. If anything, she hates him for taking her away from her old life and forcing her into their marriage. I love that Tai is strong and hardheaded at times, not in a bad way. 


I finished this book in a few hours, racing through it without bothering to check the page numbers. The ending is sweet, satisfying, and leaves you wanting more. The story is a breath of fresh air. You get the paranormal romance you've come to love, but with something different and extraordinary-the dragons. I will be eagerly awaiting the next book and am going to get my own copy of the book to read whenever I want. 

Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go read it again. :) 

******

Every 8 years in Oceina Island the priests make a sacrifice to the great water dragon Lord Oceina. The sacrifice has to be a pure girl no older than 18 years old. If they refuse to this sacrifice the island will lose the protection the water dragons offer and will be left at the mercy of other species of dragons that are not as compassionate as they are. What the people from Oceina don’t know is that the sacrifice is not what they think it is, but much more than that. 



This book is a contemporary fantasy with a mix of dragons, high school, spells etc. The author goes straight to the point without leaving out any details. I was engage from the beginning and never felt the need to take a break from the book. The characters were amazing (especially Darien) and the chemistry between Darien and Tai was romantic and funny at times. Is a fantastic and easy read 

*****

This book is absolutely amazing. I love the chemistry between Tai and Darien -- I find that Tai is one of my favorite heroins in any book series because she is stubborn and remains true to herself, and I think that Darien is absolutely adorable. Without giving away any spoilers, this book is very funny, but also very serious at the same time. I think everyone can relate to this book, especially with Darien's situation. What one of us hasn't experienced a crush or had feelings for someone that didn't start off sharing the same feelings? Who hasn't struggled with wanting to remain a kid while being forced into adulthood (and who hasn't been bored during a lecture?)? These characters are not only lovable, but they are thoroughly developed and I can't wait to read more from this author. I give it 5 stars 

*****

Dragons are fascinating creatures of myth that eat virgin sacrifices and breath fire. Well, not really in Oceina. In this wonderful world of fantasy, Dragons are revered in religon sacred and a direct line to God. Priests and Priestesses are the only ones who can communicate with them. This tale opens to an Ociena Dragon asking the priests for a virgin sacrifice. The dragon is very particular and wants only Kai, a regular girl who is her mother's only child. Kai doesn't want to leave her mother and doesn't think it is quite the honor when the Priests come to her home and tell her she has been requested. Little does she know that through the ceremonial vows she has been wed to a shapeshifter that is a water dragon. Darien,the Ociena dragon lord, has been loving Kai from afar for 6 years. Kai has always seen the dragon flying over her but never knew he was really human part of the time. She is placed on the island as a sacrifice and passes out when Darien uses his magic to calm her fears. When she comes to she finds her handsome husband who tells her of their marriage. Kai decides she doesn't want to die a virgin and doesn't realize Darien is the dragon she fears so they consumate the marriage. 

Kai wakes up in Darien's family home in their bed. Kai is angry and outraged at being decieved and marriaged without any control over her own life. Darien is attentive, kind, and sexy. He continues to give her anything she wants in hopes that she will love him back. Kai is certainly attracted to him but doesn't want to be told what to do. Darien, as a dragon, also has powerful magic that will now transform Kai into a dragon mate so that they can produce heirs. Although Kai knows she cannot go back home without exposing the dragons secret, she is completely appalled by the lack of control she has over the situation. The romance between Kai and Darien is hot and sweet. I love the fact that Darien is so in love with Kai and will do anything to make her happy. 

Darien's family is also the leaders of the Ociena dragons. Darien's father, Orion is the leader. Darien feels like his family blames him for the loss of their mother who died in childbirth. However, there are dangerous plots and intrigue to get the power of Darien's family. Darien will have to step up and become more involved in politics than he would like. He will need all the support he can get. 

This is such a well written unique plot that I highly recommend the book especially for the price. The story immediately engages the reader and I didn't want to put it down. 

*****

An amazing read for anyone who loves dragons! Jenkins builds a fantastic world centered around the life of Darien, the next Oceina Dragon lord, and his wife, Tai (not by her choice). Jenkins combines romance, mystery, betrayal and death in the first installment of the Dragons Saga, a series I can't wait to read the next of. Darien and Tai are characters that stay with you long after the book has been closed 

Day 2

Hello all, and welcome to day two of the AP birthday celebration.

Today you can get Rachel Van Dyken's Every Girl Does It for free at Smashwords by using code ZW94G during checkout.

Amanda turned down Preston's prom invitation in front of her entire high school, but that was eight years ago.

Somehow, her past mistakes always have a way of catching up with her, and making her pay. Amanda's sarcastic wit mixed with Preston's insufferable ego make sparks fly in more than one way.

Preston, against his better judgment can't fight the desire to get under Amanda's skin and mercilessly tease her, but when that teasing becomes flirting, and flirting becomes something dangerously more, neither of them are prepared for the adventure that follows.

Happy Birthday, Astraea Press!

Astraea Press is celebrating and you get the gifts.

Every day during the month of February you can get an Astraea Press title for free. Yes FREE.

Historical to Young Adult. Suspense to Chick Lit. 

Every day a different title will be available but you will have to hurry, this is for a limited time only.

Rebekah Purdy's My Dad's a Paranormal Investigator: Seeking Shapeshifters is free on February 1^st

Please click HERE to be taken to Smashwords where you will be able to use this code
Coupon Code: SS85H and apply it at checkout for your free copy