*[Blog Tour Review] The Betrayal (The Dark Circle Saga #1) by Sheila Hendrix

 

Summary:

 

When Zachariah and Matthew McCannon were young, their parents abandoned them, leaving Zack to take care of his little brother, Matt. Though they lived with their grandmother, she was always sick, so Zack was forced to raise him. This was not an easy task.

Zack had his hands full because of Matt’s unusual powers. He has visions and dreams that come true, and when he gets angry or upset, he can move things with his mind. Because of this, evil seeks him, keeping Zack on his toes as his protector.

As the brothers grew older, they became hunters, pursuing evil supernatural forces. After Matthew has a dream, it sends them on a hunt for cave, not knowing why, but realizing it is necessary. When they arrive, Matt finds the vision was a trap.

A Darkness like no other wants to control Matt and kill Zack. The Darkness is named, Alanya, which means, The Destroyer.

Alanya hates the brothers. In the past, every time he tried to apprehend Matt, Zack would thwart him by protecting his brother. Alanya is incensed that a mere human boy can beat him, for demons are not to be defied.

When Alanya asks Zack, “How far will you go to save your brother?” Zack answers, “As far as I have to.”

Now, the brothers are faced with a deadly force they never had to deal with before. This demon is on a deadly mission to destroy everything the brothers hold dear. If the McCannon’s are not careful, neither of them will be able to escape.

Summary & Photo provided by Reading Addiction Blog Tours

Length: 219 pages

Source: Review Copy

Publication Date: October 6th 2010 by Sheila Hendrix

 

The main reason I signed up for this tour was because the summary of The Betrayal really got me interested. There's a refreshing quality to the novel and I really enjoyed that.

 

This is a paranormal YA novel but unlike most novels in the genre the main character is a boy which I personally found to be a nice change of pace because there is only so many YA novels I can read with whining girls as the main characters.

 

I was really impressed with this first novel in The Dark Circle Saga. It reminded me a lot of the TV show Supernatural in a way because there are two brothers as the main focus of the book and they're just like Sam and Dean. Always trying to save each other from the darkness which in this case is a cave dwelling Demon and we all know they're never the good guys.

 

The plot of the novel was really well set out and the pacing of it was perfect. The author didn't throw everything at the reader at once and just ride out the waves until the end, the story was written the proper way with appropriate spacing between the major events happening in it and I think that is what kept me reading straight through.

 

I also really enjoyed the characters Matt and Zach along with their friends were great and I love the dialogue between them. It wasn't awkward or halting in anyway and they sounded like how kids really talk so that's another way that the author won me over.

 

Overall I really like The Betrayal. It wasn't anything like how I expected it would be but that takes nothing away from how much I enjoyed it and it's one that I'm going to have Mr. Turning the Pages read and maybe review at a later date because I think he would love this book. I highly recommend this novel to everyone who enjoys YA paranormal novels with a lot of action. I'm looking forward to reading more of this authors books and can't wait for book two of the series!

 

*I received a free copy in exchange for my free and honest review. I was not compensated in any way and all thoughts and opinions expressed therein are my own.

Really Liked It!
★ ★ ★★

 

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Author Bio

 

 

 

Sheila Hendrix is a native of Alabama and resides there with her husband of seventeen years. Her

only children are her six dogs. She works as a nurse for a nursing home and also does reviews for a

magazine, although she hasn’t done that in awhile because she’s been busy writing her own Young Adult

series.

Sheila has always wanted to write but never thought she’d be able to. It’s been a dream of hers since

she was a little girl. She practically raised her little brother because her parents both had to work. She

had to grow up fast and that was where she got the idea of writing about two brothers whose parents

abandoned them when they were little.

The Dark Circle book series is her paranormal series she’s working on right now. She got the idea for

The Betrayal after having a nightmare that stayed with her for days.

The Betrayal is the first book in the series and is now available where ever books are sold. The second

book in the series is Head Games and then Darkness Falls. She doesn’t know how many books will be in

the series but there will be several.

Her hobbies are reading, writing, gardening, traveling, hiking, camping and swimming. She is currently

in school to earn her Associate Degree in Paralegal studies but her dream is to write.

 

 

 

Waiting on Wednesday #35

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine and is where we can talk about books we are looking forward to being released!

Here are my picks for the week:

 

 

Summary:

 

Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another....

Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.

Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions... but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together... finally become one.

Summary & Photo taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 544 pages

Expected Publication Date: March 26th 2013 by NAL Hardcover     

 

Why I'm Waiting:

 

I friggin love this series and I love Blay and Quinn (Though I do hate that people call the Qhuay). I've been waiting for forever for their story and I am so friggin' happy that their time has come and that this one comes out in March!

 

 

 

Summary:

 

First came the storms.
Then came the Fever.
And the Wall.

After a string of devastating hurricanes and a severe outbreak of Delta Fever, the Gulf Coast has been quarantined. Years later, residents of the Outer States are under the assumption that life in the Delta is all but extinct… but in reality, a new primitive society has been born.

Fen de la Guerre is living with the O-Positive blood tribe in the Delta when they are ambushed. Left with her tribe leader’s newborn, Fen is determined to get the baby to a better life over the wall before her blood becomes tainted. Fen meets Daniel, a scientist from the Outer States who has snuck into the Delta illegally. Brought together by chance, kept together by danger, Fen and Daniel navigate the wasteland of Orleans. In the end, they are each other’s last hope for survival.

Sherri L. Smith delivers an expertly crafted story about a fierce heroine whose powerful voice and firm determination will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Summary & Photo taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 336 pages

Expected Publication Date: March 7th 2013 by Putnam Juvenile     

 

Why I'm Waiting:

 

I love the sound of this book, I haven't read any YA especially not any YA dystopian novels set in New Orleans. I hope I can score an ARC of this because I'm dying to read it.

 

Now, what are YOU waiting for this Wednesday?

*[Blog Tour Review] Against My Will by Benjamin Berkley

 

 

Summary:

 

Rose is a young girl and has just been liberated from a Nazi death camp. As she is convalescing in the hospital, a nurse hands her a journal and suggests that she records her experience before she forgets. Rose says that she will "never forget." 70 years later, her grand -daughter Danielle discovers the journal entries. Danielle is struggling in an abusive relationship. And the two lives intersect. This is the story of survival, self- discovery, justice, and ultimately about love.

Summary & Photo taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 247 pages (Paperback)

Source: Review Copy

Publication Date: September 1st 2012 by Frederick Fell     

Talk about a dramatic read. I wasn't expecting Benjamin Berkley's fictional debut to be such a raw, dramatic emotionally intense read but it was and it was a pleasant surprise. The book is told through the eyes two women from the same family told decades apart but their stories intersect when Danielle receives her grandmother's journal and it becomes the driving force behind Danielle's decisions throughout the book.

The book, like I said before is very dramatic. It is emotionally charged and the situations as well as the language (while the language is not extreme) is definitely an adult novel due to the nature of some of the scenes including a rape scene (not glorified). I was taken aback by the tone the author set in the novel but ultimately it intrigued me and had me reading late into the night.

Danielle's story of being married to a cold hearted, manipulative, narcissistic, man (and I use the term very loosely) was hard to read but Danielle was a really strong and convincing character. The reason I mention that is because a lot of the time when I come across a male author they have trouble writing a female character. Mr. Berkley honestly had no trouble with his characterization of Danielle or an of the other characters in my honest opinion. He made them very real and the story as horrible as the events in it were had a ring of truth to it in a way that you can believe the events happening in the novel are probably happening to some poor woman like Danielle.

I was also surprised that the author chose to right this story. I'm not complaining but I found that Mr. Berkley's take on such a touchy subject was written as tastefully and with great insight into his characters as well as his plot. To be honest this is probably one of the best adult fiction novels I've read in the past year or so because of the authors skill.

I highly recommend this novel to everyone who loves fiction, especially dramatic fiction that makes you think about some hard issues while making you want to read on and on until you get to the end and feel a little shaken up by what you've read.

*I received a free copy in exchange for my free and honest review. I was not compensated in any way and all thoughts and opinions expressed therein are my own.

Really Liked It!
★ ★ ★★

 

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*[Author Interview] Q & A with Michelle Robinson

 

Q. Welcome Michelle tell our readers about yourself?

A. I love music. Compassionate. I’m a great friend, daughter, cousin, girlfriend, hairstylist, poet & thinker. I am a humanitarian. My belief is you owe it to life to give to others. I have a high moral background. I am a dreamer. As long as you have a dream, life should keep you busy. I am a believer that all things are possible. I’m also an artist so I creatively think outside the box. I’m a go-getter so I don’t take no as an option for me. I’m organized to the point that I can’t function in confusion. I can be the life of the party & also like spending time alone. I also love taking naps.

Q. Tell our readers about your journey to writing?

A. I started writing poetry in junior high school. In my twenties, I wanted to write a book. The people I told assumed it would be about hair. I that wasn’t genre wasn’t my passion as far as writing goes. I had no concept but I decided when the time came it would be fiction. I felt that I wasn’t experienced enough to make an impact, so I kept reading books. I felt that I needed to learn more about life. So I lived life, kept a journal, and experienced more.

Q. Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way?

A. I was telling two people a story at different times on the same day and they both told me that I needed to write a book. So I figured that was a sign from God and I started writing.

Q. What has the responses been from those that have read your book?

A. People have said it’s a great book, a page turner; they finished it in 2 days. Some finished it in 1 day. They couldn’t put it down, was late to work trying to finish it, stayed up til 3am in bed with my boyfriend with a flashlight reading it, the characters are well developed, loved the sisterhood of the girls in the book, my readers can relate to these characters, they were shocked at the ending, fending for the next book.

Q. How long did it take you to write this book?

A. 15 months

Q. How did you feel the day you held the copy of your first book in your hands?

 

A. The feeling I had was very similar to giving birth. I was full of joy and super excited!

Q. Thinking about your writing career, is there anything you'd go back and do differently now that you have been published?

A. Definitely would have done more research looking for a good editor.

Q. Is there any lesson or moral you hope your story might reveal to those who read it?

A. Love and trust God through your storms and trust Him to give you what you desire on His time. Be patient and pray on your journey so you can learn life’s lessons and help someone else along the way. True friendship should be valued and not envied. Life’s not perfect, but it can seem that way with great friends to share it with. Life provides that we are all on the same journey just walking in different shoes. We are searching for that earthly love that we get from God and our parents. We struggle, we make mistakes, we love, we hate, and we forgive. We must also try to accept people who are different than us. This book proves that.

Character Interview About Right Before My Eyes

Q. Please tell the readers who are the main characters?

A. Journee Bell, Jordyn Bell, Derrick Long, Chelsea Hendricks, Najah Joseph and Kalena Martin.

Q. What is the conflict in the story?

A. Relationships

Q. Which characters in “are you most like?

A. Journee, her mother, Derrick, Pops & Chelsea.

Q. Take us inside “Right Before My Eyes” What are two major events taking place?

A. A wedding & Journee discovering who really is her Mr. Right

Q. Are your characters from the portrayal of real people?

A. Two of them are & some are a combination of many people in one character.

Q. How can people connect with you?

A. email: rightbeforemyeyes@yahoo.com

Q. Please give us your website?

A. www.michellerobinsonauthor.com