Cover Reveal - Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs

Frost Burned will be book 7 in the urban fantasy series that follows Volkswagen mechanic/shifter Mercedes “Mercy” Thompson, and it’s due out in March 5, 2013.

Description:

Shapeshifter Mercy Thompson's life is calming down, at least enough that she can focus on mundane matters like Black Friday sales. But on her return, Mercy is unable to contact her mate, Alpha Adam Hauptman, or the other members of their pack. All she knows is that Adam is angry and in pain. With the werewolves fighting a political battle to gain acceptance from the public, Mercy fears Adam's disappearance may be related - and that he and the pack are in serious danger. Outclassed and on her own, Mercy may be forced to seek assistance from the most unlikely of allies: the vampire seethe.

Sounds intriguing! What are your thoughts on this cover and the synopsis?

Review: Crave by Melissa Darnell

"Going against the flow might seem adventurous at first, but eventually you get worn out. The River always wins." P 183

For 15 years, Savannah's grandmother and mother hid away the fact that Savannah is far from human. They kept Savannah away from magic because the Clann prohibited it in order to keep the peace between the species. After the fourth grade, she was prevented from being with the only boy she's ever kissed and was once Savannah's best friend. She's also prevented from dancing by her father since it will reveal that she's different from the other kids. Savannah, as it turns out, is part vampire and part witch which is revealed after Savannah spends nearly a week with "flu" like symptoms. When Savannah returns to school, she has a near hypnotic effect on boys who look her in the eyes. She has also changed in appearance which makes the Dastardly Duo jealous and catty.  

Tristan is from the Clann, which are a group of powerful witches, and the presumed to be next leader of the Clann. Tristan was once Savannah's best friend until the Clann forbid them from being together after the fourth grade. This came after the Clann learned that Savannah's mother had a prohibited relationship with a vampire. Tristan seems to have an electric attraction to Savannah for which he is truly confused yet in the end, it's obvious that Savannah and Tristan should be together. I absolutely loved Tristan's determination to thwart his families restriction on being with Savannah. I loved the fact that he could create a dreamscape and connect with Savannah in his dreams while sleeping outdoors.

I compared this to Romeo and Juliet in that this is a forbidden romance that festers and blooms behind the backs of both families to the point where one side has to step in and stop it from continuing. Savannah has to be one of the strongest characters I've read in YA since she's all but been abandoned and treated like a second class citizen by nearly everyone in her school. She's forced to give up the one thing she loves, dancing, because her father is under strict orders to stop her from outing herself to the world. She gets constantly bullied, yet, she doesn't run off to the bathroom constantly in order to break down and cry. Yet, Savannah isn't alone. She has good friends in Annie, Michelle, and Carrie who stand by her side; mostly.

It's interesting how my tastes in literature have grown and expanded. I normally dislike alternating POV's. In this case, it worked to perfection. It was necessary to read both Tristan and Savannah's POV's so that we, as the reader, could see how the relationship has progressed against great odds.

I will be reading Coven shortly to see where this story goes from here.

Title - Crave
Author - Melissa Darnell
Publisher - Harlequin Teen
Released - October 25, 2011

Early Review - The Iron Wyrm Affair by Lilith Saintcrow

The Iron Wyrm Affair is the first book in a new series called Bannon and Clare. Emma Bannon is a forensic (Prima) sorceress who is employed by the crown of Britannia to look into nefarious activities and protect the Queen from anyone that attempts to harm her or the country in any way. Dr. Archibald Clare is an unregistered Mentath, or one who is used to using his brain to calculate all sorts of equations and try to guess their ultimate outcome.

Bannon and Clare are tasked by the crown, after Bannon rescues Clare from attackers, to find out why so many Mentath's have been killed off, and their bodies mutilated. It also seems that there are those who want nothing more than to bring about the absolute destruction of Britannia by unleashing forces of evil, including dragons, against the crown.

I would say that this story is a cross between Sherlock Holmes, Steampunk, and Alternative History with a little mystery tossed in to keep readers interested in the story. I would also say that I'm reserving judgment towards this series after having read this authors Dante Valentine series and found it kind of amusing and depressing when it went in so many different directions.

Saintcrow has a tendency of writing bizarre and often strange settings that leaves readers scratching their heads trying to figure out what she is talking about. If you've read her YA series, and read my reviews, you know that I was totally appalled at the way that series ended with little or no answers given to readers of the series.

This story is supposedly set during the time of Queen Victrix and most of the story takes place in the city of Londinium. The story is told in an alternating POV by chapters. I really had a complaint against the whole alternating POV's that Saintcrow uses. You get to the point where Bannon is fighting for her life, only to be taken to Clare's point of view in a totally different setting. We don't get to see what happens to Bannon when she's fighting for her life. We only knows that she wears tons of jewelry that keeps her dark powers. We also know that she goes through a ton of dresses in her battles against the evil that intends to destroy Victrix.

There is also a back story that isn't fully explained that left me perplexed and wanting more information. If you are going to use a background story, the least you could do is fully explain the reason behind it, and why there is so much unease between Bannon and her shield protector Mikal.

If you are looking for a romantic connection between Emma Bannon and Dr. Archibald Clare, don't bother. They are from two different worlds, and Clare isn't the kind of male character that is going to blurber his way through any sort of relationship with someone as powerful and set in her ways as Bannon is. There is an undertow between Bannon and another character that I won't spoil.

In the end, this story is actually interesting once you get passed the world building and the build up to the reason behind all the Mentath's being killed off. You also get a very unique and extraordinary character in Emma Bannon who doesn't take crap from anyone. Her powers are actually pretty amazing, whereas Clare isn't a push over when it comes to getting his hands dirty and protecting the crown.

I would have loved to see a glossary of terms in the back of the book. After reading her Dante Valentine series, I came to appreciate the fact that the author described her world in detail. This time around, it was left out. Major disappointment. The only thing that was explained was the levels of sorcerers and witches.

Next in series: The Red Plague Affair releases TBA.

Expected publication: August 7th 2012 by Orbit - Thank you Orbit for providing me a hard copy of this book in lieu of an honest review.

Title - The Iron Wyrm Affair
Author - Lilith Saintcrow
Publisher - Orbit
Release date - August 7, 2012

Stacking the Shelves # 15

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

Let's get right to it shall we?

Borrowed from Library (4)

Cast in Secret by Michelle Sagara

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Blood Kin by MJ Scott

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

 

 

Received via ARC Trade

Two Weeks Notice by Rachel Caine

A Wolf At The Door by K A Stewart

 

Received via Hachette & Macmillan Publishing

The Iron Wyrm Affair by Lilith Saintcrow

Finished copy of Girl of Nightmares 

 

Received via Netgalley.com (Scholastic and Harlequin)

Amber House by Kelly Moore, Tucker Reed and Larkin Reed

The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

 

From Amazon.com (.99, or free)

What Kills Me by Wynne Channing

Become by Ali Cross (Desolation # 1)

 

Thank you one and all for stopping by to check out my STS for the week!

I hope you find something you like to add to your TBR files.

If you leave a comment with your link, I shall return the favor asap!

Lastly, be sure to check out my Followers Appreciation Giveaway below for

your chance to win any August release. There will be (2) winners!

Have a fantastic weekend and keep cool!

Review: The Ripple Effect by J.A. Saare

Rhiannon's Law # 18: No one asks for their life to change, but it does. The bad things we face are always created to separate the strong from the weak. Once you've found your place--as the savage lion or the tranquil lamb--it's up to you to take the next step, to decide what comes after. Even if it means destroying everything in your path on the road to deliverance.

I will totally admit it. I am a hard person to please when it comes to Urban Fantasy novels. I read so many novels over the course of a year that I end up getting blase and turning to something else entirely. I want darkness in my UF. I want vampires who are evil and not shiny and who aren't afraid to show fangs and drink blood. I want lots of actions, and I don't mind a lot of deaths in my novels if they are done in a respectable and timely manner.

While I appreciate a good sex scene, I don't want it to stop the story in the middle of the best part of the story so that we can get our kicks. I don't much care for 3-way love triangles, yet, I will respect them if they are done in a way that doesn't feel it's being shoved down my throat. I don't even mind female lead characters who aren't afraid to make mistakes and admit to their mistakes. I do, however, want them to stand up and recognize that their actions can, and will cause irreparable damage to those around her.

The Ripple Effect meets every single one of my criteria.

I am trying to put into words how amazing I found this book. I even went out and paid money for the this book through the publisher instead of waiting for my library to get it in! I don't normally hand out 5 star ratings, so, yes, this is a huge shock to me as well. Right from the first page, Saare held my attention and I found myself chomping at the bit wondering what was going to happen next. When the darkness arrived on the scene, I held my breath knowing that Rhiannon has problems with anyone in authority.

What I am saying is...I love Rhiannon Murphy. I love her Laws. I love the fact that she has made a new friend in Bane, who is seriously mysterious and dangerous. I loved her even though she doesn't make the brightest choices and her way of thinking sometimes has you scratching your head and wanting to toss your kindle across the room. However, she does end up coming around and in the end her actions speak louder than words can be written.

I love the fact that I can still be shocked by a storyline and how quickly things changed for Rhiannon and crew. I'm seriously shocked and devastated by several losses that happen over the course of this story. I'm sure they were intended to grab the audiences attention and hold it and also change the course of where this series will head in the future. I'm actually happy, believe it or not, that Gabriel and Rhiannon are back in good graces after several weeks of tumultuous ups and downs. Of course, it took the abrupt arrival of some evil SOB's in order for them to realize how much they mean to the other.

The Ripple Effect is a serious game changer for the series. I just hope that book # 4 (Edge of Darkness) ends up being released and not being put off due to factors like pirated books, bad sales, etc. I can't tell you how sad I would be if this series would suddenly end without tying up a bunch of loose ends.

Title - The Ripple Effect
Author - J.A. Saare
Publisher - Mundania Press
Released - July 31, 2012

Feature & Follow Friday # 25

Welcome to Friday and another edition of Feature & Follow Friday! As always, your

host(s) are Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. 

This weeks question:

Q; Do your reading habits change based on your mood?
Do you read a certain genre if you are feeling depressed or happy?

My answer: 

Excellent question! Seriously, I was just tweeting, yapping, spreading the love about this

topic over the last week. I would say that YES, my reading habits do change based on

my mood. If I am in a terrible mood, I may end up reading something dark. If I am

happy, I may read a YA novel hoping that I'll be able to laugh at the silliness of the

main characters. 

I would love to see your answers! Please let me a link in the comments section and I shall

return the favor ASAP! Also, if you are a new follower THANK YOU! 

Lastly, if you are like me, and LOVE me some giveaways! Check out my Follower

Appreciation Giveaway that I'm doing over the course of the month of August!

Seriously, it's awesome and you get a second chance by clicking on the link

of my buddy blogger!

Follower Appreciation Giveaway! August 1-31 (INT)

It's finally here! Gizmo's Reviews Follower Appreciation Month!

The rules are pretty simple:

(2) randomly chosen winners will win their choice of ANY Adult or YA novel that

releases during the month of August. If you're wondering what books are coming out,

never fear my dears, there is a partial list below!

If, at any point during the month of August Gizmo's Reviews hits 500 GFC

followers, the stakes raise even higher. There will be (2) random winners who will

choose (2) books out of the August releases! Yes, that means I would be giving

away 4 books in total if I hit 500 followers! 

In addition to my giveaway, I am also connecting you with my fellow blogger

Jenese from Readers  Confessions to give you more choices to win!

 You can find her blog here

http://www.readersconfession.com/

Below is a list of Adult books that are releasing in August. 

(For the record, there are also 41 Young Adult books releasing as well!)

   

   

  

  

  

Also, as a way to get to know Jenese and I better, we did a buddy interview. 

Just a few short questions about blogging and our likes!

Jenese @ Readers Confession

When did you start blogging?

I started blogging mid May 2012, I'm still a baby to the blogging world.

Why did you start blogging?

I really didn't have anyone to speak to about my books that I read. I started with Goodreads and make lots of friends there, eventually I just wanted to expand. I thought about blogging for about a year before I finally did start.

What is your favorite part of blogging?
There are a few things. I love being able to connect with authors more by guest posts and interviews. I also love interacting with other bloggers and readers. Being able to talk about our favorite books.

My favorite interview/post?
Lorelei James blog tour, I love her Rough Riders (contemporary erotica western series) and it was so cool to be a part of that. Also indie author, Toni Aleo for Trying to Score. Great book.

Something about me that most don't know.
I have 6 tattoos and am still planning to get more. :-P

Most anticipated read for 2012?
Indie author, Toni Aleo's third book Empty Net, Rogue Rider by Larissa Ione and Breathe by Sarah Cossan

Favorite read of 2012 so far
This is tough. I have a few...Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry, Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione and Trying to Score by Toni Aleo.

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