Review & Author Interview Visions (The Holly Nather Trilogy, #1) by Sara Daniell

Summary:

"Every guy I seem to date ends up resembling the reeking material that janitors and plumbers both deal with on a daily basis. You get my metaphor. In summary, it is safe to say that my dating life really, really sucks." -- Holly

It is Holly's first year in college and the most exciting thing in her life is her classes. She doesn't have any luck with dating and doesn't have many friends.

Her life is terribly boring until she receives a text message from a unknown person. Life as Holly knows it will forever change by responding to that one single text. She isn't too thrilled but will soon find herself falling in love with a complete stranger from another world.

Summary taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 182 pages (e-book)

Source: Review Copy from author

Publication Date: March 1st 2012

First I'd like to thank Sara, who has been a gem to deal with. She graciously included me in her blog tour and asked me to review her book which I enjoyed immensely and she was nice enough to even let me interview her. I love when authors take time out of their busy schedules to talk to their readers.

Now on to the review.

I really liked this book. Holly is your average college freshman who has a little bit of an attitude (but I like my characters with some spunk!) She's a bit of a tomboy, she doesn't like to be the center of attention and her love life is in the drain.

That is until one text message from a mysterious stranger changes the course of her life indefinetley. All of a sudden she's flung into a world she never could have imagined and she's falling for the stranger who has taken her away from everything she's ever known.

I think that for a first novel Sara definetly has promise. You can tell how much she loves to write right off the bat and you can tell that Visions is her literary baby.  I really liked how the novel played out, though sometimes it did feel rushed but that's okay since the author is new. 

It was actually quiet refreshing to have a YA book that has no witches, werewolves, vampires or other creatures that go bump in the night. Not that I don't love books with those aspects but it is nice to find an author who is willing and able to create a world devoid of those things and Sara did this quiet well.

There's treachery, alternate universes, magic (though no witches or warlock/wizards/sorcerers) and a love story to boot! I really enjoyed this book and I'm glad I had the oppotunity to review this book for the author because it was well worth the read. 

I recommend this to people who like realistic YA with just a hint of fantasy.  I look forward to reading more about Holly as the trilogy continues and I wish Sara all the best in her writing career. I really like her style :)

To visit the author's blog CLICK HERE

To "Like" the author on Facebook CLICK HERE

*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my free and honest review.

★ ★ ★1/2

Q&A with author Sara Daniell

1.) When did you decide to write Visions and why?It’s funny…I really don’t remember exactly when I sat down and wrote Visions. Visions was written over a period of time, not all at once. Why I wrote it…that is actually a funny story. I wrote it because I challenged myself to do it. I have always had a huge imagination and love for reading. I grew up keeping a journal and loved to write. One day after reading a book I said to myself, “Sara, why don’t you write down all the crazy things your own head?” That is seriously how it happened. Poor Luke and Holly and the world of Terre had been locked up in my brain for far too long. That is how Visions as well as the rest of the trilogy came about.

2.) Which character in Visions is your least favourite?

That is hard for me to answer. I love all my characters for different reasons. If I had to choose the one I liked the least, it would have to be Lana. I know that seems so cliché since she is the bad guy (or I should say girl) in the story, but she is horrible to Holly and so I choose her as my least favorite.

3.) If you could give aspiring authors 3 pieces of advice, what would they be?

Read! I always say, if you don’t like to read you will be a unsuccessful writer. Reading opens up your imagination which helps you create characters and the worlds they live in.
Write because it is what you love to do, even if others don’t love what you write.
Grow thick skin. Do not expect everyone to like what you have written – because they won’t. Focus of the good reviews and never feel badly about your work. Take the negative and let it help you grow as a writer. I know this sounds cheesy but it is VERY true. Trust me.

4.) What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?

SO many things! Gosh, where do I even start! After you complete a book it is a awesome feeling. It is a feeling of accomplishment. But, the most rewarding thing about being a writer is sharing it with the world. It makes me so happy to know that people could escape into my books for a while and find entertainment in them.

5.) What are you top 5 books from your top 2 favourite genres and why?

Top 5 Books are from YA Paranormal Romance and Dystopian/Sci-Fi
True of Blood by Bonnie Lamer
Switched by Amanda Hocking
Hollowland by Amanda Hocking
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Color Blind by Aaron Slade
I LOVE all of these for so many different reasons. I think, because they all bring something different to the reading community. They are all so completely unlike any other book I’ve ever read. You should really check out every single one of them if you haven’t already!

6.) Do you see yourself branching out in terms of your writing in the future?

YES! I already have a few things in the works! I won’t go into too much detail because I change my mind – a lot. What I mean by that is I could be writing something and put it away for a long, long time or totally trash it. BUT, I will say this, when I’m through publishing the whole Holly Nather Trilogy, you will see a lot more from me.

7.) If you could have written one book written by anyone in the world what would it be?

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks – one of the BEST love stories EVER written.

8.) Do you feel that as a writer negative reviews are important?

Yes, depending on the context they are in. If they are bashing the author, no, I just ignore those. I don’t care to hear that someone thinks I suck at writing. But, if they are giving constructive criticism that could help the author, yes.

9.) Do you think book blogs are important to have especially for indie authors?

YES! I wish there was so much more I could as a indie author for all of you wonderful bloggers! You guys take the time to read and review our books which helps us to get the word out. There is no way possible we could do this without awesome blogs like yours! I cannot say thank you enough!

Thanks again Sara for answering my questions and letting me in on the Visions Blog tour!

As Night Falls by S.M. Blooding Review Blog Tour Stop

Summary:
Earth 4112:
The President has started the New Order and with that, he’s destroying many sects that might oppose him or would blemish the perfect picture of tranquil life that he has created. Among those he’s trying to abolish are the vampires.
Raven Dubois refuses to allow himself or his Vampiric Nation to dissolve into myth. He’s trying to find a way to save his people. With sanctuaries disappearing continuously and his people dying in numbers, his only hope lies in the ancient texts of the Watchers.
Raised by the Watchers and by the President, Becca is torn by two mortal enemies. The Watchers have raised her to protect the very people the President is trying to destroy. She holds the key to the ancient texts that Raven so desperately needs. However, can she believe that the man so like a father to her is trying to murder innocent people?
Raven’s only hope for turning her already chaotic mind is to use her highly sensual nature and bind her to him using her heart instead of her mind.
Length: 260 pages
Source: Author
Publication Date: March 13th 2012

First off, doesn't the summary sound like an interesting political thriller? That was my first thought at least. However this is a very adult book. There is a very good reason as to why it's called Erotica. Now, I'm not much of an erotica reader so I thought I would give it a whirl with this book.

I was actually pleasantly surprised by this book. It wasn't as steamy as I thought it would be but it was still spicy. The very idea of vampires in a futuristic society is quiet intriguing and I think that the author started the book in the right direction since this is the first book in the series.

For me my favourite part was the world building and Raven the male protagonist. I thought that while the world building could have been slightly more detailed that the author did a good job. I did fin Raven particularly interesting despite the fact that I personally can't fathom his interest in Becca Rece (the female protagonist).

While the plot slowly (sometimes too slowly) unraveled itself I could not help but wonder at what attracted Raven to Becca. She was so naive and rude that I didn't like her at all. But they did have some spicy sexy times! Even though I didn't care for Becca too much in this book I do hope that she and raven will continue to be the focuses of the other books in the series. I may not like her but her and Raven do make a good team and towards the end I actually did start liking Becca more as she became stronger, and more willing to face facts about her past, present and future.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves their books on the hotter side with a unique futuristic twist. I think that the author is on to something here and I really hope she continues the series soon so I can see where things are headed. I'm really glad I signed up for S.M. Blooding's blog tour for her book and that it was my first time hosting a blog tour!

To purchase the book from Amazon CLICK HERE

To visit the author's website CLICK HERE

To follow S.M. Blooding via Twitter CLICK HERE

SM Blooding is hosting a big giveaway on her blog to celebrate the release of As Night Falls. Everyone who enters has the chance to win a Kindle and e-Books. CLICK HERE

*I received a copy of this book for blog tour purposes in exchange for my free and honest review.

★ ★ ★

Whispers of a Legend, Part One-Shadows of the Past by Carrie James Haynes

Summary:

The legend, they say, is whispered within the winds along the magnificent Preda Mountain Range, the words and deeds never to be forgotten of the Time of the Nuxvenom, a time when the Sordarins crushed the impending threat, the dreaded Asmeodai, and once more Scarladin was safe. The mighty Sordarins, rulers of the sky! No, the Sordarins have slept well over the years secure in their knowledge the Great One watches over them, knowing the legends holds a mighty warrior will emerge if threatened again, born with a destiny only to defend their world. But subtle changes have emerged. Little by little fear beings to resurface that their world, their very existence is once again threaten. They look to the skies anxiously awaiting their warrior; questioning perchance if the Great One has forgotten them. I know this how? For I am the one born to defend their world. I, Kela Calledwdele, was born a Euchoun. I am their warrior.

So starts this epic fantasy...Whispers of a Legend saga. Kela Calledwdele was born with a destiny, a Euchoun with only one purpose in life...to protect. Torn between two worlds, Kela soon discovers she is the hope of both. Now she must find the courage to face the destiny fate has dictated to her.



Kela has always known what path in life she would follow. She was born a Euchoun. Half Witheleghean, a passive peaceful race where magic runs freely and the other half, Sordarin, a valiant warrior race of hawkmen who rule the sky, she knows well her parents gave the ultimate sacrifice to give her a chance to live. Yet, in so doing, they have left Kela unprepared to face the dangers that await her. Her instincts are to protect and in this she does, but in so doing it leads her into a world where she knows not whom to trust. In time her power matures and grows stronger when she bonds with a Sordarin warrior, Cono. She learns well why she holds the power. An evil as no other before, Asmeodai, has emerged but all is not what it seems as a dark cloak encompasses her family. Betrayal, distrust, treachery leaves Kela alone. She is torn by her desire for Cono and the purpose, the path, she has been given to follow. And when another emerges within her world, one who seemly wants only to help her along her path, she is pulled further away from her Sordarin.


Shadows of the Past, Book One of the Whispers of a Legend is the first in nine installments of the saga. It is a journey of a young woman’s battle to embrace her destiny. Whispers of a Legend follows Kela along this conflicting path, where as a young woman unsure of her ability and her confidence in facing the challenges before her to where she emerges as a strong leader who learns to lean upon her own strength, to stand not behind, but side by side with her warrior.

Summary taken from Goodreads.com

After posting in a Goodreads group asking authors to review their books I was approached by Carrie James Haynes to review her book. I was so excited to read it and I would like to thank Carrie for allowing me the opportunity to review her book.

I have to say that the author did a nice job with the world building in this book. She did an amazing job with Kela (my favourite character and the protagonist). I love how strong she was and how much she cared for her family. I enjoyed seeing her grow as a character and I was rooting for her the whole way through all her trials and tribulations. 

This was not a long book by any means but it was packed with my 2 must haves: Adventure and Fantasy. This book did not fail to deliver and I would recommend it to those who enjoy reading books set in different worlds.

I give this book ★★★★ My only three complaints were that there were a couple of minor spelling errors, and the fact that I think it should have been a wee bit longer and the fact that I have to wait for the next installment!You can download this book for free by following this link ---> Whispers of a Legend by Carrie James Haynes