*[Blog Tour Review & Giveaway] The Darkening Dream by Andy Gavin

 

Summary:

 

The Darkening Dream is the chilling new dark fantasy novel by Andy Gavin, creator of Crash Bandicoot and Jak & Daxter.

Even as the modern world pushes the supernatural aside in favor of science and steel, the old ways remain. God, demon, monster, and sorcerer alike plot to regain what was theirs.

1913, Salem, Massachusetts – Sarah Engelmann’s life is full of friends, books, and avoiding the pressure to choose a husband, until an ominous vision and the haunting call of an otherworldly trumpet shake her. When she stumbles across a gruesome corpse, she fears that her vision was more of a premonition. And when she sees the murdered boy moving through the crowd at an amusement park, Sarah is thrust into a dark battle she does not understand.
With the help of Alex, an attractive Greek immigrant who knows a startling amount about the undead, Sarah sets out to uncover the truth. Their quest takes them to the factory mills of Salem, on a midnight boat ride to spy on an eerie coastal lair, and back, unexpectedly, to their own homes. What can Alex’s elderly, vampire-hunting grandfather and Sarah’s own rabbi father tell them? And what do Sarah’s continuing visions reveal?
No less than Gabriel’s Trumpet, the tool that will announce the End of Days, is at stake, and the forces that have banded to recover it include a 900 year-old vampire, a trio of disgruntled Egyptian gods, and a demon-loving Puritan minister. At the center of this swirling cast is Sarah, who must fight a millennia-old battle against unspeakable forces, knowing the ultimate prize might be herself.

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 382 pages (E-book)

Source: Review Copy

Available Formats: E-book & Paperback

Publication Date: January 10th 2012 by Mascherato Publishing

 

The Darkening Dream was completely unlike any book that I've read before. At first I was really caught up in the summary of the novel which definitely catches the reader's attention as well as the stunningly dark and mysterious cover paired alongside it.

 

The fact that I liked the book so much caught me completely off guard and I'm really glad I gave this debut novel by Andy Gavin a chance. The Darkening Dream brings together a fantastic mixture of fantasy, mythology, paranormal, historical fiction and the added bonus of a wee little bit of romance mixed in for good measure.

 

At 382 pages this novel is on the longer side but I think that is a large part of what made it such a great read. The amount of detail that went into the writing of the novel is wonderful, usually I'm not one for books that are excessively detailed so I was glad to see that this novel was detailed in all the write places and I didn't feel bogged down by needless descriptions.

 

The book centers around Sarah, Alex, Anne, Emily, Sam, some Egyptian gods, a 900 year old vampire and a Puritan minister who's in a sexual relationship with a succubus and of course the novel is set in the perfect place Salem during the beginning of the 20th century.

 

I was very impressed with the plot of the novel, that fact that the author drew on so many genres, created realistic characters and the fact that the novel was written in such a way that there was always another plot twist every few pages that kept me on my toes. Plus the book was told in shifting perspectives so I really got a feel for all the other characters not just Sarah which was awesome.

 

The fact that the book always had me guessing, and wanting to read late into the night which I did the other night staying up past 4 a.m. because I had to see what happened next really had me hooked. I thought the author did a fantastic job in telling the story and the plot was outstanding and I can't help but wish that this book were turned into a series because when I finished it all I wanted to do was return to the characters and their mysterious adventure.

 

Overall, this was a fantastic debut. It is completely and utterly unique in both the caliber of the writing as well as the plot. I think this would appeal to a wide variety of readers who like fantasy novels and paranormal novels. While the book has been shelved many times as young adult on Goodreads there are certain themes in it that are probably better suited to older teens 17+. This is one novel that I think I'll have to purchase in paperback and one that I highly recommend giving a try. I for one hope the author continues in his writing career because I for one can't wait to read more of his work and I know for a fact that Mr. Turning the Pages will love this one as soon as he can get his hands on my Kindle long enough to read it.

* I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. I was not compensated in anyway to give a positive review and all thoughts and opinions herein are my own.

I read this book for the following challenges:

2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge

 

2013 150+ Books Reading Challenge

2013 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

Really Liked It!
★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2

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Author Bio:

 

 

Andy Gavin is a serial creative, polymath, novelist, entrepreneur, computer programmer, author, foodie, and video game creator. He co-founded video game developer Naughty Dog and co-created Crash Bandicoot and Jak & Daxter. He started numerous companies, has been lead programmer on video games that have sold more than forty million copies, and has written two novels including The Darkening Dream, a dark historical fantasy that puts the bite back in vampires.

 

Giveaway:

 

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*[Blog Tour Review] Darkness Rising (The Supernaturals) by Elle Chardou

Summary:

A Pureblood...
Julien Gasquet belongs to the notorious Lycan clan, the Gasquet Pack based in New Orleans. After a vicious argument, he storms out of the compound and decides to spend the night with his sister, Jolie, in Baton Rouge.

A Half-breed...
Martina Beauchamp is considered an abomination to the Lycans as she isn't a pureblood and doesn't have a pack to call her own. She meets Julien after a horrifying incident forces her to flee her home and her car breaks down in the parking lot next to his truck.

Destined...
The attraction Julien and Martina experience from the moment they meet isn't about lust or a one night stand. However, when the pack is involved in every decision a werewolf makes, is a happy ending at all possible?

WARNING: This is paranormal romance novella with sexy good times, smokin' hot werewolves, toned bodies and explicit language. Blood, gore and closed door sex scenes? Not this time. (Novella Word Count (not including excerpt): 23,000)

***Includes an excerpt from The Dawn of Darkness, book two in The Supernaturals series, out now!***

Summary & Photo provided by Innovative Online Book Tours

Length: 106 pages (E-book)

Source: Review copy

Publication Date: June 21st 2012 by Midnight Engel Press         

Seriously why was this book only 106 pages long?! I enjoyed it so  much it felt like it was a much longer read it the story really sucked me in. You see, lately I've been trying to branch out in my reading and I'm starting to delve more into the world of novellas and novellets so when I saw this one come up as available for reviw from  Innovative Online Book Tours I thought there was no better time to start that process than the present.

Now, since I haven't had the best streak with these sorts of books but I really came to enjoy this one. I think it had a lot to do with Martina (I really like that name, too bad it's a name you don't see very often).

While I admit the fact that the romance between the half lycan Martina and that of the pureblood lycan Julien is rushed I still enjoyed it because the characters actually worked well together. Something that I find in cases of these shorter novellas is way off. I loved how these two came together and they certainly seemed to have chemistry.

I also enjoyed how the couple themselves weren't perfect. I mean how could they be? Both came from families where drama was an every day occurance so it makes sense that they have their faults. I also enjoyed how the writer wrote a fair amount of the couples family's backgrounds in such depth considering this was a short read.

All in all the book was pretty darn good and it impressed me. The book had just the right amount of detail, paranormal romance as well as good writing. It wasn't overloaded and bogged down with details it was just right. I would probabl  recommend this one to anyone and I can't wait to read the next in the series.

* I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for my FREE and HONEST review as part of a blog tour.

 Author Bio:

Danielle Blanchard Benson is a world traveler and author of several different series.

Ms. Blanchard Benson is the author of Beginnings: Book I (The Plague), Death Wish: Book I, Better off Dead: Book II and Death Lair: A Novella (all from The Vamp Saga), The Catalyst: Book One (The Pop Stars) and The Beautiful People series.

She is currently working on Love Voodoo: Book I (DeGeneration), Apocalypse 2012: Book II (The Plague), Hart Attack: Book I (The Hart Family Saga), The Making of a Star: Book Two (The Pop Stars) and Queen of the Undead: Book III (The Vamp Saga).

Ms. Blanchard Benson has lived abroad in Stockholm (Sweden), Manchester (England), Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland. She currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Blog: http://thebeautifulpeopleawritersjourney.blogspot.com/

Follow Danielle Blanchard Benson on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/dblanchbenz007

Like Danielle Blanchard Benson on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/Author.Danielle.Blanchard.Benson

Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4883227.Danielle_Blanchard_Benson

Email Me: mzdanibee007@gmail.com

Ten Things About Danielle

1. Your genre(s)?

My genre will always be romance or some form thereof though I have been known to do contemporary, erotic (not erotica as there is a difference), paranormal, dystopian and even -- grasp! -- horror. I am an artist so I don't limit myself and as a reader you don't have to buy everything I write. I assume most of y'all will cherry-pick anyway.

2. How many books have you completed?

I love serials and series so I have completed one long damn serial, The Beautiful People (which consisted of eight novellas), Death Wish and Better Off Dead in The Vamp Saga (and a novella, Death Lair), Beginnings inThe Plague series, Love Voodoo in the DeGeneration series, The Catalyst in my other serial, The Pop Stars, and Forever 27, a novelette in The 27 Club series. 

3. How many books are you working on now?

*Breathe* Okay, I am almost finished writing Queen of the Undead in The Vamp Saga (72k and counting),Hart Attack, the first novel in The Hart Family Saga (another paranormal series), Apocalypse 2012 in The Plague series, The Making of a Star in The Pop Stars serial and Love Game in the DeGeneration series. Plus, I am co-writing a novel with a writer friend of mine, a horror-thriller, Ties That Unbind. I'm tired just thinking about my year...

4. Are you a linear or chunk writer?

I try to work on one project at a time so it makes it easier for me to maintain consistency. That list above, that is the order of the books with the exception of the one I am co-writing. I write that one when I get it back from my co-author, write my part and then send it to him via email and Drop Box.

5. The POV (= Point of View) you’re most partial to?

I'm not. I love first person though it can definitely have its limitations. I usually stick with third person though. The HUGE exception to this rule is The Vamp Saga. The first novel is written in first person but the rest are a mix of first and third person. There are some people out there this irks but what can I say? I love Manon and I *can't* write her in third but I also love some of the other characters and thought they should get a word in too. Hence the bastard project it has become involving both POVs.

6. The themes that keep cropping up in your books?

Female empowerment, strength, change and staying true to one's self. None of these are ever easy but nothing in life worth fighting for ever is so there you have it.

7. How many days a week do you write?

Everyday. There is no such thing as writer's block for me. I began Apocalypse 2012 but my Vamp Saga muse didn't want to let go so I began the third novel. Due to my schedule, I write at least 2k each day and can finish a first draft in anywhere between four and six weeks. 

8. What time of day do you get your best writing done?

The evening. I have two children under the age of ten so when they are sleeping or are about to go down, I find myself most creative. Plus, I can have a glass of wine while I write... yes, I sometimes write toasted but I do all my revisions dead sober and I have an editor just to make sure she catches all the mistakes I don't. Plus, I have some great writers who act as beta readers and guinea pigs for those other pesky mistakes neither of us catch. I will upload and re-do a book that isn't perfect countless times. I do it all the time as it is a bit easier with the e-books than print but there is no such thing as "done" for me if mistakes are found.

9. What kind of music do you listen to when you write?

I'm a child of Generation X and I listen to everything but when I write paranormal/horror, I need some hard rocking music. My favorites: Deftones (Diamond Eyes and Best Of albums are classics), Marilyn Manson (Mechanical Animals, and Eat Me, Drink Me are two of my faves but I have every album ever made), Nine Inch Nails, Rammstein...I also listen to a lot of French hip-hop (Sinik, Diam's, MC Solaar) and French music in general (too many artists to count!). And I love some good pop music so Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Britney Spears, and Madonna are never far away...neither is Mylene Farmer for the matter, my favorite French pop star.

10. What the hell is up with your love affair with France?

Yeah, la Belle France gets mentioned a lot in a myriad of my novels. Better Off Dead and Queen of the Undead take place there as does most of Beginnings and Apocalypse 2012 will be a revisit (yet again). TheDeGeneration series takes place almost entirely in France. My other love affair is French influenced even if it is in the States. Hart Attack takes place in New Orleans. 

I just love France, French culture, the language and desperately can't wait until I can live there for a couple of years and write. I have lots of French friends and am partial to the Ile-de-France area of the country (though it is often cold, rainy and overcast). Plus, who wouldn't want their children to be bi-lingual? And did I mention the wine and the cheese and the food? Everything is better with a French accent! ;-) 

Really Liked it!
★ ★ ★ ★

 

The Wild Princess: A Novel of Queen Victoria's Daughters by Mary Hart Perry

Summary:

The astronomical success of the historical novels of Phillipa Gregory and Christine Trent prove that readers simply can't get enough of the British royals--and now Mary Hart Perry enters the fray with an exciting, deliciously sensual novel of Queen Victoria's "wild child" daughter, the Princess Louise. The Wild Princess transports us back to Victorian England and plunges us into the intrigues of the royal court, where the impetuous Louise brazenly followed no one's rules but her own--even marrying a commoner, which no one of royal blood had done in the previous three centuries. Filled with rich period deal, The Wild Princess is an exciting, enthralling read. The Tudors have gotten the lion's share of attention in historical fiction; it's high time Queen Victoria and her family got their due.

Summary and Photo taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 384 pages

Source: Blog tour copy

Expected Publication Date: July 31st 2012 by William Morrow & Company

I was so excited when I got the e-mail from Vickie at Innovative Online Book Tours that I could hardly wait to start reading it. What struck me right off the bat was that I could just tell that this book was a real labour of love for the author, her passion for the story really came through the writing and for me that was probably one of the most enjoyable thing about the book.

As someone who loves historical fiction this novel was right up my alley. This was my first time reading about Princess Louise because I tend to stay away from historical fiction that deals with the royals, not sure why I do it but I do. However, after reading this novel I think I may have to reconsider that and look for other novels like this.

I really enjoyed the way the author wove her story as it really seemed to come alive on the pages or in my case on my kindle. There was a lot going on in the novel as it dealt with the Fenians (an organization fighting for the establishment of an independent Irish Republic) as well as the happenings in Louise's life including her love life as she gets involved with Stephen Byrne, and American who is working for her mother.

I really became quite intrigued with Princess Louise because unlike most royals she was a bit of a bohemian in her time. She often mingled well with the common folk and thanks to an indiscretion as a young girl she was married to a man who later turned out to be gay. This dashed any plans she had for children and the fact that she was the first royal in 300 years to marry out of the royal families of Europe made her an interesting person to me.

All in all the novel was an enjoyable read. As a lot of other bloggers have said it was a mix of thriller, historical fiction and romance. An interesting combination in my opinion and one that worked out so successfully that the author Mary Hart Perry just got herself a fan for life. I think I'll read anything this woman writes because somewhere along the way I fell in love with her writing style. Since this novel is set to be the first in the series I'm eagerly anticipating the next, until then though I think I may have to re-read this one since I enjoyed it so much.

I would recommend this book to everyone, it's a great read because it's so dynamic, the writing, characters, plot and setting were superb. I think I may just have to buy myself a hardcover version of it I loved so much.

* I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for my FREE and HONEST review as part of a blog tour.

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Awesome, I loved it!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★