Movie Review: The Expendables 2

Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone), Lee Christmas (Jason Statham), Yin Yang (Jet Li), Gunnar Jensen (Dolph Lundgren), Toll Road (Randy Couture) and Hale Caesar (Terry Crews) -- with newest members Billy the Kid (Liam Hemsworth) and Maggie (Yu Nan) aboard -- are reunited when Mr. Church (Bruce Willis) enlists the Expendables to take on a seemingly simple job. The task looks like an easy paycheck for Barney and his band of old-school mercenaries.

But when things go wrong and one of their own is viciously killed, the Expendables are compelled to seek revenge in hostile territory where the odds are stacked against them. Hell-bent on payback, the crew cuts a swath of destruction through opposing forces, wreaking havoc and shutting down an unexpected threat in the nick of time -- six pounds of weapons-grade plutonium; enough to change the balance of power in the world. But that's nothing compared to the justice they serve against the villainous adversary who savagely murdered their brother.

The Expendables 2
Released: 2012
Runtime: 103 mins
Rating: 4/5 stars
Buy: Not Available Yet

REVIEW:
I have to  admit that i was expecting the movie to be shitty. I mean Expendables 1 was really bad for me, and i was crying laughing. Instead i was surprised on how much i enjoyed it.

This time they brought even more of the old action actors in but they just make it more awesome. For starters the story actually made sense, the acting was decent and the whole movie in general was exciting.
The dialogue was quite clever, with references on old movies of each actor, if you payed attention. For us where we saw it in Greek, if you were just reading the subtitles you were missing those lines (okay, sometimes the subs were even wrong but anyway).

Of course the best thing of all is the action. The movie is more violent and bloody than the first one. But also more real. It didn't have those huge errors the first movie had. The hand-to-hand combat scenes were simple amazing. Can i say how completely perfect is Statham's scene in the church?! LOVE!
The gun shooting scenes were impressive to say the least, but it surely didn't bring me the excitement of the hand to hand ones even though they were way more.

It's important to say that even if you don't like some of the actors (because i don't like Stalone for exaple) those guys are the action films. There is a reason why they are legends in that kind of filmas. They know what they are doing and with a good director (not Stalone in this one) on board they made a REALLY good movie.

In case you girls wondering if you will like it, we were 3 girls in the company of boys and we all enjoyed it. I mean if you are into action scenes, i don't see how you will not (and you can always love it just for Liam Hemsworth :P). The boys obviously will enjoy it..i mean dah!

P.S: And yes i just gave it a half star more than Batman :p

Starring: Sylvester Stalone (Rocky, Rambo), Jason Statham (Transporter), Jet Li (Hero), Dolph Lundgran (Expendables), Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Terry Crews (Terminator Salvation), Randy Couture (Expendables), Liam Hemsworth (The Hunger Games), Scott Adkins (The Bourne Ultimatum), Nan Yu, Charisma Carpenter (Buffy)

We Watch This Fall - 2012

The shows are in the order they premiere. You can find all the Fall 2012 Premiere Dates at the end of the post. Also check out a great site to keep track of what you are watching: Next-Episode

ALREADY AIRING

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 (FINAL SEASON)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3

MONDAY, OCTOBER 8

MONDAY, OCTOBER 8

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11

 NIKITA FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19

Are you planning to watch any of those shows? Any recommendations?

P.S: Some TV Series reviews of the previous seasons are awaiting. I promise i will keep up with them!

Promotional Post: Betrayal

 Now available!

 Buy paperback here from Amazon.

 Buy Kindle version here.

 Buy Nook version here.

Life as a mermaid can be suffocating.Eviana Dumahl has returned home as a clan leader, an orphan, and a heartbroken teenage girl. Her parents are dead and her boyfriend, Brendan, has decided that he needs some time away. While battling her inner turmoil, Eviana is forced into the war that Lucian Sutherland has incited amongst her own kind. With the help of Kain, her friend and formally betrothed, the two work together to prove that they deserve their birthrights as young merfolk leaders.

When The Council requests a demonstration of Eviana’s mermaid powers, she finds herself with an opportunity to win back Brendan’s heart. But her orders to train with a repulsive merman and the presence of an attractive new suitor challenges Eviana to embrace her leadership and resist temptation. Lucian is after her, and no one seems to understand why. Loyalties are tested as the casualties increase, showing Eviana that sometimes it is impossible to delineate between friends and enemies.

Betrayal is the second book of The Syrenka Series trilogy following Eviana and her friends as they navigate through the challenges of existing in a secret world. February 2012.

Cover by Phat Puppy Art.

Read the entire first chapter here.

 

also Check out these cool team banners for Brendan, Kain and Graham from Sarah Elizabeth's bookshelf. 

About the author:

 

Amber Garr spends her days conducting scientific experiments and wondering if her next door neighbor is secretly a vampire.  Born in Pennsylvania, she lives in Florida with her husband and their furry kids.  Her childhood imaginary friend was a witch, Halloween is sacred, and she is certain that she has a supernatural sense of smell.  She writes both adult and young adult urban fantasies and when not obsessing over the unknown, she can be found dancing, reading, or enjoying a good movie.

 

Movie Review: The Dark Knight Rises

Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' The Dark Knight Rises is the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy.

It has been eight years since Batman vanished into the night, turning, in that instant, from hero to fugitive. Assuming the blame for the death of D.A. Harvey Dent, the Dark Knight sacrificed everything for what he and Commissioner Gordon both hoped was the greater good. For a time the lie worked, as criminal activity in Gotham City was crushed under the weight of the anti-crime Dent Act.

But everything will change with the arrival of a cunning cat burglar with a mysterious agenda. Far more dangerous, however, is the emergence of Bane, a masked terrorist whose ruthless plans for Gotham drive Bruce out of his self-imposed exile. But even if he dons the cape and cowl again, Batman may be no match for Bane.

The Dark Knight Rises
Released: 2012
Runtime: 163 mins
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Buy: Not Available Yet

REVIEW:
Only some nights ago we went to watch Dark Knight Rises (obviously)! I was a little late with my review mostly because i was researching and trying to decide my feelings about the movie. You see i haven't read any of the comics, haven't played the game and while i have watched 3-4 of the previous Batman movies in general it's been some time and i can't remember clearly. So now that i know what i  wanna say let's begin...

To start with the story and Batman, as i understood Nolan tries to show how Batman was beat up after the 2nd movie of the trilogy and how did manage to change. I have to say the change was not that obvious, but if you came to think about it, Batman's story was mostly psychological. The change was fast, but was there. It's supposed to be around 3 months to get over his problems but we mostly watch it to happen in around a week or so? I'm not entirely sure how good or bad is that. I mean Thor changes literally in 1-2 days in his movie so i guess it's an improvement on the super hero movies.

Easily the best character is Bane. He is one of the most amazing villains i've ever seen. The thing is that when someone says part of the truth it's easier to believe him and follow him. So Bane was exactly that. His speech at the end of the movie, was surprisingly scary. He hit Gotham exactly where it had the problem. On the opposite Batman's speech was cheesy and lame :p

Catwoman was surprisingly good. I remember everyone saying that Anne Hathaway wasn't the right choice. For me she was perfect. I totally loved her, for both appearance and character. (And she was sexy without being blonde :p). Something that we really discussed after the movie was her appearance. She doesn't have the usual catwoman suit, neither her whip. So after searching and searching i can't seem to find a catwoman without a whip. So we got Nolan there. On the other hand Catwoman has indeed a costume like the one in the movie but in green instead of black. Can't say i'm mad about the color change.

I can't say anything about the acting, because i'm really satisfied with all of the actors. At some point at the movie there are some surprises on the story and some mix ups that i wasn't fan of, along with some big holes in the story. As i found out though, Nolan took parts of many Batman/Catwoman comics and combined them. Still, i'm not planning to read all the Batman comics just to find out how accurate the movie is.
Special effects and music were really really good. No question there. Now, the action scenes weren't as exciting but they were good enough. It was clear that Nolan was taking a less action way to present the movie. The final battle with Bane was way too fast. At least, how Bane was kicking Batman's ass was normal.

Overall, i enjoyed the movie and i can easily re-watch it too once or twice. I always liked Batman, but his movies never really made me excited as of other super heroes. Still the movie was good and satisfying. But, it didn't really seem as a "final" movie. More just, one more Batman movie. It was missing something. But hey! Go watch it at the cinemas! You won't regret it!

Book Review: The Forsaken (+ Giveaway)

A thought-provoking and exciting start to a riveting new dystopian trilogy for fans of The Hunger Games.

As an obedient orphan of the U.N.A. (the super-country that was once Mexico, the U.S., and Canada), Alenna learned at an early age to blend in and be quiet—having your parents taken by the police will do that to a girl. But Alenna can’t help but stand out when she fails a test that all sixteen-year-olds have to take: The test says she has a high capacity for brutal violence, and so she is sent to The Wheel, an island where all would-be criminals end up.

The life expectancy of prisoners on The Wheel is just two years, but with dirty, violent, and chaotic conditions, the time seems a lot longer as Alenna is forced to deal with civil wars for land ownership and machines that snatch kids out of their makeshift homes. Desperate, she and the other prisoners concoct a potentially fatal plan to flee the island. Survival may seem impossible, but Alenna is determined to achieve it anyway.

Forsaken
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 375 (ARC)
Part of Series: The Forsaken #1
Purchased: Review for the author
Rating: 5/5 stars
Buy: Book Depository || Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:
I want to start by saying how amazing this cover (the grey one) is! It's not the simple model, but something that combines many things from the book and makes you wonder. And i want to say that the book trailer of the book is probably the best book trailer i've seen. I'm really not a fan of book trailers, but Forsaken's was so well made. It reminded me of a movie, and actually made you interested in the book! 

On the inside of the book now. I haven't read a lot of dystopia to tell you the truth. And when i've read Hunger Games, you might remember i was really not impressed and not only that but i did not manage to even finish the 3rd book. I didn't get past half Incarceron either. Dystopian books are out of my safe zone and i'm always a little harsh with them. Still Forsaken looked so interesting that i couldn't really say no. And i'm so happy that i got it!

I loved it from the very first chapter. Lisa M. Stasse creates a thrilling world, and i was at the edge of my sit the whole time. The world made sense to me, in the way i won't be surprised if at some point at the future we turn out like that. So that was something, that made me connect easily with the book. The island and the wheel actually scared me. There were no real monsters, just how people can turn out when they are afraid and alone and having nothing to live for. But how also, strong friendships can be made. It was action packed but realistic. 

Alenna is a new to the world, so she can't fight like a super wow warrior. She is afraid, and thinking about hiding. But she is also clever, and well natured. She cares about the people around her and she will risk her life to save them. I didn't just like her as a character, but it was so easy to connect with her. She was a person that i would totally choose for a friend. And it felt so right, when she was making mistakes. She was so normal!

Of course there is romance in the book, but the scenes appear when they need to appear. I think a boy (who is not into the romance parts) can easily read the book, because there is some sort of balance in everything. It's neither all killing or action, but neither all love stories and kissing. It has everything in the right amount.

New or old to the genre, i think you will enjoy it. For me, while other books gave me doubts about the genre, Forsaken made me love not only the story but the genre too. Now i just have to wait for the next book which it seems really far far away....

P.S: Alenna is one of the most beautiful names ever!

And thanks to Lisa M. Stasse, now you have a chance to read it too!


GIVEAWAY

1 SIGNED HARDCOPY OF FORSAKEN

INTERNATIONAL

CONTEST CLOSED

Game Review: Unmechanical

Unmechanical is a puzzle adventure that combines tricky puzzle solving, alluring exploration, and an engrossing atmosphere. Set in a fantastic world of flesh, rock and steel, your journey to freedom requires you to solve a great variety of puzzling challenges, and while its easy to pick up and play, later challenges may prove very difficult indeed.

Features

Intuitive and simple controls, applied to a great range of interactions

A carefully created world with unique environments and an engrossing atmosphere

More than 30 unique puzzles, including logic-, physics-, and memory oriented challenges

Uncover a dark secret through strange clues and fantastic events

Over three hours of puzzle-solving, exploration, and adventure

Unmechanical
Release Date: August 8, 2012
Rating: 4/5 stars 
Console: PC
Buy: Steam Store

Review:

I missed those good old 2d puzzle solving games and this game was released at exactly the right time for me. It hit me just when I was in the mood for an adventure game. Ussually I get bored with this kind of games but this is the third game I actually enjoyed until the very end. The other two were the curse of monkey island (the whole series) and the Machinarium.

Graphics: The graphics are very nice and smooth as in every 2D game these days. I didn't notice anything really surprising except maybe the luck of bugs. Also the water motion in 2D games always amazes me for some strange reason...

Gameplay: It is pretty simple yet fullfilling actually. You can move the little robot around by pressing the standarized "wasd" keys and activate its "magnetic hook" with every other key a normal person would try, this includes left and right mouse keys, space bar, enter and some other keys. The developers have done a really great job with simulating gravity and the effects of mass on movement. Also the speed and inertia of the robot is very realisticaly affected by the weight of the things it is carrying. Good job guys.

Story: Well as in all good old creepy 2D adventures you start right in the game with almost no explanation as to where you are, why are you there, what is going on the world, what date is it or any info you would need... In this game it doesn't get any better later. I still don't know anything about the era or the world or even this robot. The strange thing is, I don't really mind that, it was just so fullfilling helping this little robot get back to safety. Also there are 2 different endings to the game and I explored both of them ^^

The game is made by an indie company so they need our support, and I am always happy to support indie developers when they are worth it. These guys tottaly worth it. The game is sold for less than 10$ so go get it people ! 

Movie Review: Wrath of the Titans

A decade after his heroic defeat of the monstrous Kraken, Perseus (Worthington) --the demigod son of Zeus (Neeson)--is attempting to live a quieter life as a village fisherman and the sole parent to his 10-year old son, Helius. Meanwhile, a struggle for supremacy rages between the gods and the Titans. Dangerously weakened by humanity's lack of devotion, the gods are losing control of the imprisoned Titans and their ferocious leader, Kronos, father of the long-ruling brothers Zeus, Hades (Fiennes) and Poseidon (Huston). The triumvirate had overthrown their powerful father long ago, leaving him to rot in the gloomy abyss of Tartarus, a dungeon that lies deep within the cavernous underworld. Perseus cannot ignore his true calling when Hades, along with Zeus' godly son, Ares (Ramirez), switch loyalties and make a deal with Kronos to capture Zeus. The Titans' strength grows stronger as Zeus' remaining godly powers are siphoned, and hell is unleashed on earth. Enlisting the help of the warrior Queen Andromeda (Pike), Poseidon's demigod son, Argenor (Kebbell), and fallen god Hephaestus (Nighy), Perseus bravely embarks on a treacherous quest into the underworld to rescue Zeus, overthrow the Titans and save mankind.

Wrath of the Titans
Released: 2012
Runtime: 99 mins
Rating: 1.5/5 stars
Buy: I refuse to give a link to buy this thing. Google it.

REVIEW:
So me and Filios sitting and searching for something to watch. I wanted something fun to laugh at, so here we are with Wrath of the Titans. Because we knew from the start how bad this movie will be, so the only way to watch it was to make fun at it.

Okay let's take away the special effects which are fantastic, and maybe the fighting sequences which were interesting because those were the only 2 good things.

The movie has nothing to do with greek history/mythology. They just took some of the names and put them in and tried to make something epic. For starters, it's predictable. That little wooden sword at the start..like we didn't know that his kid has something to do it with the whole thing at then, when every 5 mins he was saying "for my son" blah blah. Tsk...
I'm not even going to talk about character development. They also barely talk. They only say some things which sound "clever" or "fun".
If you are going to say, that is based on Greek mythology or whatever and placed in Greece since you are using our heroes, can you at least invent places or people with Greek names? I mean "the island of Cale?" seriously? Even "island of Kostas" will make more sense than that...I'm talking about really geographic places that don't even exist...no i'm talking about the constant desserts we DON'T have in Greece..but a place called "Tyren"...emm..what the hell?
Then we have the powers matter. It seems to me that Zeus was just bored. Because he can't beat up some simple monster soldiers but finally after someone drains pretty much all his power, he can fight and kick ass? o.O
Also what happened to the greek monsters a god knows...because if that thing at start was a chimera then i'm a unicorn.

It's not just me seeing a huge difference here right?
And what about the evil titan Kronos? Did they copy paste him from the Tekken movie? Though Kronos was pretty much useless next to Heihachi's epic final boss.

Eh.What Ralph Phienes, Liam Neeson and Bill Nighy are doing in this movie, i have no idea...no just no. Stay away from it. Except if you are like us and you want to see something funny.

Also good writers....when you write TITANS at the main title. Plural. Many. More than one. You don't just put ONE titan in. It has an "s" in the end. Just saying...you can't get straight even your own title?

Movie Review: The Art of Getting By

George, a lonely and fatalistic teen who's made it all the way to his senior year without ever having done a real day of work, is befriended by Sally, a popular but complicated girl who recognizes in him a kindred spirit.

The Art of Getting By
Released: 2011
Runtime: 83 mins
Rating: 5/5 stars
Buy: Amazon (UK) || Amazon (US)

REVIEW:

This is one of the movies I decided to see because of the cast. I know the three main actors for forever and the whole story looked pretty interesting so I couldn't just pass it by.


It was very intriguing to see Freddie Highmore. And Michael Angarano, where the last movie I saw of him was Sky High. The movie gets you in many interesting places in New York City (One of the cities I'd love to visit and maybe stay in one day), because George skips school a lot. I wish now I was skipping school more often and exploring the streets instead of just going for a coffe. He has very interesting excuses and opinions about life and school in general. And he's very smart. I loved the way he's indepedent and doesn't look like the average teenager. Sally, on the contrary, is the average teenager. Her family is not normal, but she manages to change George's life. Alos, she does something during the end that made me hate her a little, and I didn't like the way she was treating George. And finally, Dustin may not be seen enough, but he, too, changes George's life by introducing him to art, George's main interest.

If there was a bad thing, then that's in the whole movie. Something felt off all the time through out the movie. I think it had to do with the grown-up actors or the story, but it was a feeling I was getting.

Bottom line, I liked it. I had a nice time watching it and I loved every second of it, except something during the end. Anyway, if you are really into trying new things you should watch it. Then again if you didn't like the trailer, you can easily skip it.

TV Series Review: Sherlock (Seasons 1 & 2)

Series One
Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) can tell a software designer by his tie and an airline pilot by his thumb. He has a unique analytical brain and, unlike anyone else in the world, he staves off boredom by solving crimes. When a chance encounter brings soldier John Watson (Martin Freeman) into Sherlock's life, it's apparent the two men couldn't be more different, but Sherlock's intellect coupled with John's pragmatism soon forge an unbreakable alliance.

A Study in Pink, The Blind Banker and The Great Game

Series Two
Sherlock and Watson return… Embroiled in the complex plans of the dangerous and desirable Irene Adler, Sherlock needs every one of his remarkable skills to survive, and an invitation to the wilds of Dartmoor brings our terrified heroes face to face with the supernatural. Meanwhile Sherlock’s nemesis, Moriarty (Andrew Scott), is out there in the shadows and is determined to bring Sherlock down – whatever the cost.

A Scandal in Belgravia, The Hounds of Baskerville and The Reichenbach Fall

Sherlock (Seasons 1 & 2) 

Released: 2010-now

Runtime: 3 Episodes/90 mins (each season)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Buy:  Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:
I am a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes.I love his stories and the way Arthur Conan Doyle writes.He is one of my favorite heroes of all time along with Hercules Poirot the fictional character and famous detective of Agatha Cristie.So when i learned from Yiota about these TV series i almost wet my pants from the news, but at the same time i was afraid , that i am about to see another failure like that of Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock Holmes:A Game Of Shadows at the cinemas.Thankfully this isn't a failure.Lets go talk about the series ( essentially 3 feature movies per season).

Plot:Every episode on these series is loosely based upon a short story or a novel of Sherlock Holmes.We have the same names on the characters,the same places,but the plot line is different,although, maintaining the main elements of the stories.There is also a main plotline on the first 2 seasons which is of course Sherlock's nemesis Jim Moriarty and his plans to eventually win Sherlock.About the plot i am very very impressed by the job of the writers and producers!They maintained some key elements of the stories,but actually the plot is their job.They gave Sherlock Holmes's stories a new dimension in 21th Century.Each case is different from the original story but that doesn't mean that it isn't good.They are amazing.One other thing i liked is how the producers took some things from Doyle's era and transferred them to ours.I will give you one example.In the original stories,Holme's eyes and ears of the city was orphan children who were playing around the streets.None gave them a second glance and that was exactly the thing that made them the best spies.Now in our era there isn't any children like that.So who will be our eyes and ears?Homeless people.Exactly.That was a brilliant idea that i liked very much.It is one of the little things which shows you that the producers are respecting and simultaneously like their job.They give it the attention it needs.Needless to say that both the 2 seasons ended on a cliffhanger especially in season 2,which at the same time is frustrating because i can't wait another year to see what happened.

Characters/Cast:Well perhaps this is the series strong card.Their Characters and their cast.The characters are the same as in the original stories.I cannot say more. Sherlock's intellect is as high as ever and they also maintained some other features of his personality. Doctor Watsons role in the stories is exactly the same as in the stories in comparison with the movies which was a big failure,much more than Sherlock's character.And now we have the big surprise. Jim Moriarty.Because, as you will see,although Moriarty is as brilliant as Sherlock but in the opposite side, in the series he is a bit mad,he is obsessed with Sherlock.Now that was an interested twist in these series.As for the cast, one name:Benedict Cumberbatch.He plays excellent as Sherlock. He gave life to Sherlock Holmes,he made him the character all loved. Doing Sherlock Holmes is a very difficult thing and that is why i give him the credits for it,because Holme's is a very eccentric person,and not an easy role for an actor.As for the other cast they were very good.Great job till now and i can't wait for the third season.

These series is a must see for any fan of Sherlock Holmes or generally of detective-mystery fiction.I will give the series a 5/5 rating.I wish i could give them a 10/5.Amazing series which respected the legend of Sherlock Holmes and gave it a new dimension in 21th Century by some guys that have read the original stories and love them.The team behind the series gives here a really good example about how books should be transferred in the big screen with a consistent and simultaneously enjoyable way.

Book Review: Blood Jewel

With the mystery of Chansey Leclaire and Curry Brennan's connection solved, they are free to explore their newfound love for one another. Or so they thought....

When Marsala uses a witch and black magic to discover Curry's whereabouts. he and Chansey are left with no choice. The newely engaged couple is forced to relocate away from their families at the new compound in Savannah, which causes major changes in the plan for their upcoming wedding.

Relocating to Savannah might have saved Curry and Chansey from being discovered by Marsala, but it doesn't stop her attempts to reach Curry or her efforts to harm Chansey through black magic. As Marsala closes in, Curry faces the decision he never wanted to make. Will he keep Chansey human or condemn her to eternity as the thing he hates most??

As Curry waits for his hand to be forced, a newly turned vampire arrives at the Savannah compound in need for help. Not only is she a fledgeling in transition, she brings reports of escaping from a vampire cult still in possession of her sister, a human. Any attempt to save the captive human from a cult of vampires puts everyone in jeopardy. Can they risk entering a large cult to save one human?? And is so, how could they possibly do it successfully??

Love will grow. New mysteries will arise. A battle will ensue. A Blood Jewel will be found.

Blood Jewel
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: ?? (ebook)
Part of Series: The Vampire Agape #2
Purchased:  Review for tour
Rating: 5/5 stars
Buy: Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:

As I said in the previous review, the first book left us with many questions about what happens next. So, I was really happy when I received the second one, and I started reading it immediately.

This book takes us not far from the first one. Chansey and Curry are still living at the compound and they try to figure out their next move and especially how they are going to explain Chansey's grandparents the news about their engagement. The book, in general, doesn't have too much action. Many things happen that leave you with the mouth open that change the couples' lives. Seeing everything from Curry's point of view means that you lose several other things about the other vampires like Solomon. But there are sex scenes, finally after Chansey's pressure and their marriage. I know that's a spoiler, but I've searched for far too long to read a book with both nice plot and a complete sex scene and I finally found it. What I liked about it was that Chansey is not some virgin and innocent teenager. In fact, she's in her early 20s and we already know -or have figured it out- that she had more intimate relationships before. Plus, due to their Agape connection, Chansey doesn't freak out at anything she hears, no matter how shocking they might be. Chansey, hence us, learns many new things that make us create a better picture over the way the vampires live. There are many mysteries as well.

If there is something I didn't like was that things were coming somehow easily for everyone and, as I said before, we miss many things that are happening to others because we are reading Curry's point of view.

Bottom line, I loved this one more than the first. I liked that it's more complete. It still leaves you with many questions and despite the title, we never learn what a Blood Jewel is, which makes me really curious as to what happens next. I can't wait. If you liked the first one, you're going to like this one too.

P.S.: At the end of the book, the author presents you with a list of songs accompanied with the scene each one fits. I don't know if they are the songs that inspired the author while writing or they reminded her of her scenes later, but I found each one of them and started re-reading or remembering some of the scenes in the book, and that really makes a whole new experience. I always love to know what things inspire an author to write and what exactly.

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Book Review: Open Heart + (Giveaway)

Simmi Shergill's life is a mess. Her powers of psychic feeling are on the fritz, and Grandon Township's sudden population boom has brought quite a few unsavory characters to town. She also looks like an over-blown balloon in her size 14 pants, but not even starving herself seems to be working as a diet plan. Well, at least her boyfriend, Alex, loves her so much he'd do anything for her. Last summer he even risked his life to protect her from the mysterious boy everyone was convinced wanted to kill her.

The problem is, she's not so sure she feels the same way. Is Alex really the man of her dreams? And why can't she stop fixating on her would-be killer, Dax? Whenever he's around, part of her wants to run screaming in the other direction while the other part longs to run into his embrace, no matter who she’d hurt or what she’d risk.

Simmi's loyalty is on the line. Who will she choose—the blind seer who loves her, or the charming telekinetic with "bad idea" written all over him? Emotions run high as the tension mounts in book two of the Farsighted series.

Open Heart
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 285 (ebook)
Part of Series: Farsighted #1
Purchased: Review for the author
Rating: 4/5 stars
Buy: Book Depository || Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:
So Emlyn did it again. She made me fall in love with her book and again it only took me hours to finish Open Heart.

This time we follow Simmi. And we see the world in an entirly different way than we did with Alex. For starters, i had no idea that Simmi was size fourteen/twelve. When Alex talked about her, i saw what he saw. Something beautiful. So when Simmi starts to worries about her figure i'm like "why?". It was the first time i get to see how all the characters really look on the outside. And it's funny because i can't say i missed it at Farsighted. Anyway, Simmi is a girl who feels bad about herself. One of those girls, who don't eat, and puke after the eat to get thinner. So we see a matter, really well known to most of the girls (maybe at not that extend but there is no way to not find some similarities..even some small ones) and we get to see how she thinks, what she believes of the people who try to help her, how she tries to keep up which is something really interesting to see. I've never read about a person with that kind of problems, and i never had someone close to me with problems like it so it was in a way something new to me. It's still difficult for me to fully comprehend why girls act like that, but now i have a better image on how they think so maybe if something like that appears in my life, i will manage to give better advice or just give them the book to help them.

Of course, there is also the "power" problems because let's not forget that all our characters have super cool powers. I really liked how Emlyn connected the powers to Simmi's problems. How comments that have been made about the powers could also apply in real life. It made it more real. And even if the book has less action than Farsighted, it was as interesting and a good read.

Now, you see those 4 stars up there? Well that's kind of funny because i would never give 4 stars to a book that i don't like the main character. You see Simmi is my least favorite character in the series. I can't say i liked her that much, and after some certain things she did at the book, i certainly dislike her now (i'm sorry but i found her so selfish xD). Still no matter what, the fact that i was able to not only connect with a character i don't like, but completely enjoy the book says something about Emlyn Chand's writing. Not only she knows what to say, but she also knows her characters so well that you never doubt what you are reading. Even when you don't agree with their actions or you don't like them, you have a certain respect for them as a characters. And i could even re-read the book again. It's THAT good! And not because of the story, but because of the whole world building.Every single detail makes sense. I really thought i won't manage to finish the book cause of Simmi but heh..it went away in no time.

I want to write way more things, and explain more and in detail but i really don't want to be spoilery so i'll stop. Another great book, which made me excited about the next in the series with Shapri's POV. I mean Shapri is my #3 favorite character, so i know i will love reading it. Only thing i'm changing is my rating at Farsighted. Is going up at 5 stars, because now i understood more about how it was written and how special as a book is.

GIVEAWAY

Thanks to Emlyn Chand, you can now win 3 Vintage Copies of Farsighted (first book of the series), so you can start reading them too!

Open International.

Simply feel the form. 

CONTEST CLOSED

Book Review: Ruby (+Giveaway)

During the Salem witch hunts, an evil witch named Natasha Sullivan tricks a demon into confining himself inside an enchanted music box. She casts a spell that foretells that the demon will emerge in an unknown time in future after the birth of a child known as the Lumen Child. This child’s destiny is to bring light to the planet and Natasha knows that if he is killed then darkness will prevail. Natasha’s identical twin Sarah, discovers what her sister has done. Although she cannot break the spell she casts her own prophecy. It states that three witches known as the Triple Enchantresses will be born in the same time as the Lumen Child and they will be his supernatural protectors. The girls are not sisters, yet they will share a common destiny. Ruby is the story of the first witch and how she very nearly dies before discovering her true identity. Having grown up unaware of her powers, she is rescued by her loving grandmother who is also a white witch and taken back to the family estate where she learns everything she can about what her future holds. Ruby is the first in a four book series.

Ruby
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 174 (ebook)
Part of Series: Ruby #1
Purchased: Review for tour
Rating: 3/5 stars
Buy: Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW: 
Witches and Salem always sounds so intriguing so i really couldn't say no to the book. Now after reading it, i have mixed feelings about it. The good though, are more than the bad.

The story is mixed with witches,demons, prophecies elements. Something we've seen a lot, still the author managed to create something original enough, and make it interesting too. Personally it kept me in from the first chapter, and i finished in one read.

Now the real problem, if you can call it problem, is that the book is only 170 pages. There are so many things happening in there that those pages aren't enough. Even though the characters are generally likeable, you don't get to know them that much and connect with them. The first half of the book is also more detailed than the second part which is full of action happening all together and fast. The romance while it could have been something really interesting to see developing, it pretty much happens in less than 5 pages.

So you see, i enjoyed the book but it missed things. It could have been truly great. This is the author first book though, and self published so i'm not too harsh with it. I think the next one would be way better so i can't wait for it. And heck, Ruby's own "Hogwarts" house makes me excited only thinking about it!

GIVEAWAY

Picture Below and 10$ Gift Card 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blogversary Giveaway #2

For Astrid, a blacksmith who makes swords for dragonslayers, the emergence of a strange gemstone from her body sets in motion a chain of events that threaten to destroy her life. Her happiness is shattered when her lover-the dragonslayer-disappears without a trace, and the life that she knows and loves implodes without warning. Astrid lives in a world of shapeshifters whose thoughts have the power to change not only themselves but others. Everything Astrid knows to be true is called into question when she learns the truth about her past and the mysterious family from which she was separated as a child. Reality turns inside out as Astrid gradually learns the truth about the people she loves as well as those she disdains. With the fate of dragons, ghosts, and slaves in foreign lands resting on her shoulders, Astrid faces the challenge of deciding who she is and how she will stand up inside her own skin. Will she withdraw and hide from the world that has disappointed her so much...or will she rise to lead others to freedom and peace?

REVIEW

1 PRINTED COPY - INTERNATIONAL
(thanks to Resa Nelson for the copy!)

CONTEST CLOSED

2nd Blogversary! (+Giveaway)

Okay dance with me!!! Come on!!! Woo woo!!!!

Happy Birthday to us! We are 2 years old!!! :D I'm so excited! The blog kept up with everything going on, alive and well. You never let us alone to die, and we had some amazing things happening this year. Our stats they didn't doubled than last year, but considering everything was awesome and more fun than last year so youhou!!!!!

And what better way to celebrate a birthday than gifts eh? But before that, we have a blog gift because it deserves a gift and that's a totally new awesome layout! What do you think about it? I had to wait 2 weeks to show it to everyone so now i feel free of my secret :p

And off for YOUR gifts. This post has the 1st of a series of giveaways, so be sure to check back soon. Plus they are almost all printed books and INTERNATIONAL contests, so you really want to check them out!

Again, THANK YOU for staying with us guys! We will try to bring more to your life next year! Hope to see you around! :D

INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY - 3 WINNERS

1st : 10$ at BookDepository, Amazon(giftcard), Fishpond or Play.com (that means you can use them for something different than books like games, cds,etc)

2nd: Swag of 20 various bookmarks

3rd: Swag of 10 various bookmarks

There are extra entries available for those who follow at social networks (you don't have to follow all of them, just one :p)

CONTEST CLOSED

Cover Reveals: Karice Bolton

*Covers by PhatPuppy Art ( http://phatpuppyart.com/ )*

Taken (A Watchers Novella)
by Karice Bolton
Expected Pub: December 2012
Prequel (The Watchers Trilogy)

A Watchers Novella

Ana and Athen are enjoying the quiet life as a couple with only the minor dark demon infraction to rectify. Cyril and Arie are enjoying the newfound simplicity too. Things are perfect – too perfect.

They soon realize that something far more sinister is taking place in their world, and they must do their best to stop the evil from spreading. Determined to figure out who is tampering with the mortals’ fate they are unable to recognize that it’s a trap, and one of their own is the target.

This is where it all begins.

Altered Souls (Book 2 of The Witch Avenue Series)
by Karice Bolton
Expected Pub: October 2012

The realm of Altered Souls brings nothing but unrest, deceit, and pain forcing Triss to come face to face with heartbreak from her past.

Facing a betrayal like never before, Triss questions everything she thought she knew about her family, coven, and abilities.

With the help of Logan, she embarks on a journey enabling her to confront the dark side of magic and the person who controls it. Realizing Triss’s ancestors have been seduced for centuries by the dark side, Triss and Logan must ensure no more in their world fall victim to the realm of Altered Souls, even if that means ending the ones they love.

Karice Bolton is a paranormal romance/urban fantasy author living in the Pacific Northwest. All three books in The Watchers Trilogy are available now, Awakening, Legions, and Cataclysm. Lonely Souls, which is the first book in her new series Witch Avenue, was released in June 2012!

Karice married the love of her life who she met in high school, and she still can't get over how cute and funny he is. They have two English Bulldogs that are the cutest bullies in the world, and they use their cuteness to get what they want. Karice loves the snow and gravitates towards the stuff as often as possible! She enjoys skiing and tries really hard to snowboard, but often makes a nice little area to sit while everyone zips by on their board. She enjoys writing, and she also loves to read just about anything with print.

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5240334.Karice_Bolton
Website: http://www.karicebolton.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/karicebolton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karice-Bolton/218230041566833

Promotional Post: Promises

Promises (Book One of The Syrenka Series) By Amber Garr

Sometimes following your heart can end up destroying the ones you love.

When seventeen-year-old Eviana Dumahl is faced with the responsibility of an arranged marriage and clan leadership, she is forced to choose between the life required of a mermaid and one of a teenage girl simply infatuated with the wrong guy. Kain, her devoted fiancé, would make a wonderful husband except that she’s been in love with Brendan, a shape-shifting selkie, ever since they were kids. Choosing to abandon her family, her clan, and her life with Kain will have dire consequences far beyond anything she could have imagined.

A war is brewing amongst the clans and Eviana unwittingly becomes a pawn in the intricate schemes of a twisted mastermind. With Brendan’s life on the line, she has no choice but to involve those she once considered friends. Amidst encountering senseless tragedies and immense loss, Eviana discovers that she is more valuable as a clan leader than anyone ever suspected. Her survival is not only dependent upon the loyalty of her friends, but also on her acceptance of a life she so adamantly tried to escape. 

Amazon || Smashwords || Barnes and Noble

About The Author:

Amber Garr spends her days conducting scientific experiments and wondering if her next door neighbor is secretly a vampire. Born in Pennsylvania, she lives in Florida with her husband and their furry kids. Her childhood imaginary friend was a witch, Halloween is sacred, and she is

certain that she has a supernatural sense of smell. She writes both adult and young adult urban fantasies and when not obsessing over the unknown, she can be found dancing, reading, or enjoying a good movie.

Book Review: Blood of Anteros (+Giveaway)

"I was tantalized by the mystery of her. The leech inside me came out to prey, but found none in this energetic girl. The close proximity of her essence didn't entice the monster within, so what did that make her? I had more questions than answers, but one thing was unmistakable; although she released me from her embrance, her hold on me remained."

Cruel circumstances turned Curry Brennan into the wretched monster he hates nd refuses to acccept, but when an expected turn of events releases him from the bond of his absessive maker, he returns to the home he knew 161 years earlier and finds the return of happiness and joy in something he didn't know existed. Puzzled by his growing attraction to Chansey Leclaire, a human, he is unable to resist the captivating relationship that threatens to reveal his existence as a vampire. He eventually discovers thee reason he was destined to find what he didn't know he searched for and is faced with cruel realization that the living and the immortal undead will always be separated by one thing. Eternity.

Blood of Anteros
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: ?? (ebook)
Part of Series: The Vampire Agape #1
Purchased:Review for tour
Rating: 5/5 stars
Buy: Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:
It's been such a long time since I first started a new vampire series and for some reason, this book felt just right, even though it's part of a tour. And I had this very nice feeling while starting it, I was really excited.

Good Things: I liked the way the book is written. Even though, the narrator is Curry, a male vampire, he's so sensitive and sweet that you really fell in love with him. He has this problem, he sees himself as a monster, because he was transformed against his will and that's slightly annoying, it's been 161 years after all, but the way he speaks and the way he treats to Chansey is the best way a guy can treat a lady and at the end you don't really care about his problems. I loved the story behind the Agape. It's the first time that religion is mixed with vampires, and it was so interesting and so romantic, especially when Curry has this changes over him. As for the story, in general, I liked that the author doesn't have as a central point the the whole vampirisme, but we see that Chansey herself has other dangerous problems on her own, that Curry is willing to solve. So for a change, the bad vampire creator of Curry, Marsala, isn't the problem.

Bad Things: Things started being bad during the end, after Curry and Chansey learn about the Agape and the destiny to be together. They both have this question on their whole bond thing, and they kinda stick to it. Then Curry finds out something about his past human family. And then we discover that Curry belongs to a coven. And then we meet the coven. All these information come to us rushed and very hurry and we don't have the opportunity to process them all at once, especially since the entire book is been written in a very calm way. In addition to that, somehow, Curry started remind me of Edward from Twilight, due to some of his opinions in certain matters. Also, the author doesn't give us a clear image of how are the vampires in her book or how they act. But I guess some of my questions are going to be answered in the second book.

Bottom line, I really liked it and enjoyed it. I think it's a nice vampire novel. It totally leaves you with many questions. And I can hardly wait to read the next one.

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