*[Blog Tour Review] Hunted by Jill Kaelin

 

Summary:

 

8 That's how old I was when I found out I was special. I was given my rose quartz gem and taught about my past.

13 That's how many times I've lived in this world. This is my thirteenth life cycle as a human.

1 That's how many seconds it took me to fall in love with Mike. It's also the amount of time I had to say goodbye to him just before he was killed by Reggie, the hunter that's been after me for months.

Will Reggie succeed in killing me too, and possibly eradicating the planet of the unicorn race forever?

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 218 pages (E-book)

Source: Review Copy

Available Formats: E-book

Publication Date:  August 17th 2013 by InkSpell Publishing

 

 

Have I mentioned how much I love InkSpell Publishing before? No? Well I do. They work with some pretty amazing author's and I'm so glad to have the opportunity to work with them especially when it comes to reviewing some totally awesome books like Hunted. Since the book is still so new, I'm really going to try to avoid any spoilers so if I seem vague I apologize. I just don't want to spoil it for anyone.

 

Hunted is Jill Kaelin's debut novel and she hit it band on. At 218 pages Hunted was a quick, fun, unique read written by a fresh new voice in the Young Adult genre. At first I wasn't all that sure what to expect since I wasn't able to find any reviews of it to give me some idea of what I was getting myself into and because I'm always nervous when it comes to trying a new author.

 

Right off the bat I liked the way that Kaelin chose to write Skye's story. It flowed so easily and so freely and she was detailed in her descriptions that I felt like I was in the book along side Skye as she had to endure everything that her 13th life through at her. There was something so endearing about Skye that I couldn't help but to love her and root her on through the story because I liked seeing her grow as a character. She was complex yet not so much so that it brought the over all feel of the book down. Plus I liked the paranormal aspect that surrounded her a lot as well. It wasn't over done and it fit well with the over all feel of the book.

 

As for Reggie, I wasn't a fan of him. Other people may or may not be but I wasn't although that isn't to say that he wasn't a good character, because he was. I just didn't see eye to eye with him really and I thought he made a good supporting cast member/co-star for Skye and their dynamic really intrigued me.

 

My only issue with the book was that I really think it could have done with an extra 15-25 pages to really flush a few scenes out and add a little more to the story line and add more dialogue to the story but that is of course just my opinion and other than that I thought Hunted was an excellent debut and I am totally looking forward to reading the next book in the series as soon as I can because I would absolutely love to see where the story line is going to go from where Hunted left off. Oh and the unicorn thing mentioned in the book summary? I know I didn't mention it before because of spoilers so just let me say, GO BUY THE BOOK AND READ IT IMMEDIATELY. Seriously though. Go buy it, and then you can find out why unicorns were mentioned because I'm not telling. It's too important. Trust me.

 

I would recommend Hunted to fans of young adult paranormal novels with a unique premise, a fresh perspective on the genre, a great heroine and fantastic writing that will get you hooked.

 

 

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my free and honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.

 

I read this book for the following reading challenges:

 

2013 150+ Reading Challenge

2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge

 

 Loved it!
★★★★ 1/2

 

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'[Blog Tour Review/Author Interview/Giveaway] Colonization (Paradise Reclaimed #1) by Aubrie Dionne

 

Summary:

 

Andromeda has spent all seventeen years of her life aboard a deep space transport vessel destined for a paradise planet. Her safe cocoon is about to break open as Paradise 21 looms only one month away, and she must take the aptitude tests to determine her role on the new world and her computer assigned lifemate. As a great-granddaughter of the Commander of the ship, she wants to live up to her family name. But, her forbidden love for her childhood friend, Sirius, distracts her and she fails the tests. The results place her in a menial role in the new colony and pair her with Corvus, “the oaf”.

But when Andromeda steps foot on Paradise 21, her predestined future is the least of her worries. Alien ghosts from a failed colonization warn her of a deadly threat to her colony. And when Sirius’s ship crashes on the far ridge in an attempt to investigate, she journeys to rescue him with Corvus.

Andromeda now must convince the authorities of the imminent danger to keep her protect her new home. What she didn’t expect was a battle of her own feelings for Sirius and Corvus.

Can she save the colony and discover her true love?

Summary & Photo taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 228 pages

Source: Review copy

Publication Date: November 7th 2012 by Inkspell Publishing

 

I think this book may just have made me a sci-fi fan! I've read a few sci-fi novels over the years but it's one genre that I am still very cautious of reading these typse of books. This book was done in a way that wasn't wasn't too out there for me and I ended up really liking this book.

 

I do have to admit though that I wasn't familiar with the book or the author until I did a cover review of this book a couple months ago but I'm very glad I was able to get a chance on the blog tour for Colonization.

 

Like I said previously, the book was written in away that it wasn't too out there. I don't know about you but with a lot of the sci-fi novels out there I have a problem when they get to involved with aliens. Luckily this one was really good. It reminded me of Across the Universe by Beth Revis in a lot of ways but still remained it's own novel.

 

I thought Andromeda (Love her name) was a great character. Despite everything she was very much still a typical teenage girl with a bad case of forbidden love for her best friend Sirius. Thank goodness for no insta love! However, circumstances require her to get closer to the boy she's matched up with Corvus and eventually her feelings for him grow and a love triangle ensues which I surprisingly didn't mind because there was much, much more to the novel than the romance angle.

 

I thought that the fact that Aubrie used ghost aliens in the story was pretty neat because I personally haven't seen that occurr in very many noves so it was rather refreshing to employ them in the plot. The whole book was a refresing, adventurous and compelling read that had me wanting more and more the further I got into the writing. I can't wait to read the second book in this new series. Strong characters, well developed plot and a great writing style is what made me love this book so much.  

 

I thought the book was great and it definitely has me wanting to read Aubrie's other novels because she's got a gift for making the sci-fi dystopian angle her own that isn't too out there for the unintiated to the genre to enjoy and I really hope that they're like this one. I would highly recommend this novel to fans of the Across the Universe Series by Beth Revis.

 

*I received a complementary copy of this book in exchange for my FREE and HONEST review.

Really Liked it!
★ ★ ★ ★

 

To "Follow" Aubrie on Twitter CLICK HERE

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To visit Aubrie's Website CLICK HERE

To purchase Colonization via Amazon CLICK HERE

To purchase Colonization via Barnes & Noble CLICK HERE

To purchase Colonization via Inkspell Publishing CLICK HERE

 

 

 

Author Q & A

 

 

1. Tell us a little about yourself. 

 

Well, I'm a professional flutist by day and a writer by night. I enjoy both careers and they certainly keep me busy. But, I still manage to spend time with my family each week, take my 2 year old nephew to "Music and Me," watch the Syfy channel, and talk my dog, Jedi, for walks everyday.

2. Did you plan to be a writer or did it just happen?

I started writing about 6 years ago. The first book took 2.5 years to write, and now I can knock off a first draft in 6 months. Much better. I'm not the most patient person in the world- LOL.

3. What is your favorite non-writing pastime?

Watching the Syfy channel. I LOVE "Finding Bigfoot," "Ghost Hunters," their original movies, and "Face Off." I watch "Finding Bigfoot" on the edge of my seat thinking: this will be the episode they will find him! I know- I'm a little too overzealous.

4. When did you decide to take that step that made you a published author?

Everything I write I planned on publishing. I never write anything without that goal in mind. So, when I started my first book six years ago, I definitely knew I was going to take the plunge!

5. What has been your greatest challenge as a writer? Have you been able to overcome it?

My greatest challenge was all of the rejections! I have hundreds, maybe thousands. I used to keep them all, but now I just toss them away and don't give them a second thought. So yes, I did overcome it with a lot of chocolate and whining.

6. Is writing a full-time career for you? If not, how else do you spend your work day? 

 

I also practice and teach flute during the day. I'd say I spend 2-3 hours a day on my writing at this point. If I wrote all day I'd turn into that Stephen King character in The Shining- all work and no play makes Aubrie a dull girl...

7. If you had to sum it up Colonization in 30 or less words, what would you say?

 

Outer space adventure with forbidden love, mystery, ghosts, and aliens!

8. What inspired the idea behind your book? 

 

I really wanted to know what happened to the characters in Paradise 21, the first book in the New Dawn series. But, when I started writing Colonization, it was from a young adult perspective, and I knew it had to be an entirely different series. Thank goodness Inkspell Publishing decided to pick it up and give it a chance.

9. Do you have to be alone or have quiet to write?

 

I just can't have the television, or music with words in it. I like to listen to Radio Gaia when I write, which is a calm, new age internet radio station.

 

10. What has been your greatest challenge in writing Colonization?

Finding where it fits in the New Dawn trilogy. I wanted it to fit so badly, but I knew it wasn't new adult, it was young adult, so I was afraid I'd have a hard time publishing it. And I had to finish the New Dawn trilogy, which was under contract, first. So this new series had to wait an entire year.

11. Is there any place and time in the world and in history that you would like to visit?

Actually, I'd like to visit the elves in Lothlorien, or the cantina on Mos Eisley. But, that's not gonna happen. So, I guess it would have to be Mozart's time: 1756-1791 in Europe to hear him play the harpsichord!

 

 

Author Bio:

 

Aubrie Dionne writes science fiction fantasy with romantic elements. Her writings have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, Emerald Tales, Hazard Cat, Moon Drenched Fables, A Fly in Amber, and Aurora Wolf. Her books are published by Inkspell Publishing, Entangled Publishing, Lyrical Press, and Gypsy Shadow Publishing. She’s also a professional flutist in New England.

 

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*[Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ] The Star Child by Stephanie Keyes

 

Summary:

 

The world is about to be cloaked in darkness. Only one can stop the night.

Kellen St. James has spent his entire life being overlooked as an unwanted, ordinary, slightly geeky kid. That is until a beautiful girl, one who has haunted his dreams for the past eleven years of his life, shows up spinning tales of a prophecy. Not just any old prophecy either, but one in which Kellen plays a key role.

Suddenly, Kellen finds himself on the run through a Celtic underworld of faeries and demons, angels and gods, not to mention a really ticked off pack of hellhounds, all in order to save the world from darkness. But will they make it in time?

Summary and Photo taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 310 pages

Source: Review Copy

Publication Date: September 21st 2012 by Inkspell Publishing     

 

When I first started reading this book I was a little unsure as to how I was going to like this book. I mean obviously I had an interest in the book because I wanted to be a part of the blog tour but since I haven't been reading that much of the genre lately.

 

However, after the first 20 pages I was instantly hooked in Kellen's story. I tend to not enjoy YA urban fantasy novels with male leads but I really enjoyed Kellen. I thought he was great and not at all like the cocky arrogant character I had painted in my head and that was awesome for me.

 

For me the main reason for wanting to read this book was because of the Celtic mythology which I absolutely love and adore in novels. I really do I wish more authors took advantage of the rich history and mythology of the Celtic people like the author of The Star Child did. Plus she had hellhounds! Don't ask me why but, I really like hellhounds and I love when they pop up in my reading.

 

This book had a lot going on there was a lot of action, adventure and mythology plus a wee bit of romance thrown in for good measure. I loved the magical elements in the story and I really loved all the characters including the bad ones because of how well written the novel was over all. I loved how the characters worked so well together even though they were on both sides of the good and bad struggle.

 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this read and I look forward to reading more by this author. I highly recommend this one to fans of YA Paranormal, YA Urban Fantasy and books with a lot of mythology and magic involved with a nice romantic element added in.

 

 

* I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my free and honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and I was not compensated in any way.

 

Really Liked It!
★ ★ ★★

 

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Author Bio:

 

 

 

 

  Stephanie Keyes holds an undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems as well as a Master's in Education. A seasoned, facilitator, Mrs. Keyes worked in Training and Development for an international telecommunications corporation for twelve years; spending the first eight years of her career as a Software Trainer and Technical Writer and the last four working in Human Resources and Employee Development.   In May of 2012, Mrs. Keyes left the corporate world to focus on her family and her writing full-time. She also operates a freelance graphic and instructional design business, Sycamore Road Design.   Inkspell Publishing will release her first novel, The Star Child, on September 21, 2012. She is now currently at work on the second book in The Star Child Trilogy, The Fallen Stars.   Keyes lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two children, and Riley the dog.

 

 

 

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*[Cover Reveal & Giveaway] Colonization: Book One of Paradise Reclaimed by Aubrie Dionne

Summary:

Finding a new home has never been so dangerous.

Andromeda has spent all seventeen years of her life aboard a deep space transport vessel destined for a paradise planet. Her safe cocoon is about to break open as Paradise 21 looms only one month away, and she must take the aptitude tests to determine her role on the new world and her computer assigned lifemate. As a great-granddaughter of the Commander of the ship, she wants to live up to her family name. But, her forbidden love for her childhood friend, Sirius, distracts her and she fails the tests. The results place her in a menial role in the new colony and pair her with Corvus, “the oaf”.

But when Andromeda steps foot on Paradise 21, her predestined future is the least of her worries. Alien ghosts from a failed colonization warn her of a deadly threat to her colony. And when Sirius's ship crashes on the far ridge in an attempt to investigate, she journeys to rescue him with Corvus.

Andromeda now must convince the authorities of the imminent danger to protect her new home. What she didn't expect was a battle of her own feelings for Sirius and Corvus.

Can she save the colony and discover her true love?

Publiction Date: November 17th 2012

Author Bio:

Aubrie Dionne writes science fiction fantasy with romantic elements. Her writings have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, Emerald Tales, Hazard Cat, Moon Drenched Fables, A Fly in Amber, and Aurora Wolf. Her books are published by Inkspell Publishing, Entangled Publishing, Lyrical Press, and Gypsy Shadow Publishing. She’s also a professional flutist in New England.

Please visit her website: www.authoraubrie.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2964057.Aubrie_Dionne

Twitter: @authoraubrie

Blog: http://authoraubrie.blogspot.com


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