Book Review: The Awakening

Do you believe in vampires? Ghosts? The supernatural world?
Meet Lauren who instantly clicks with Gavin at a friend’s BBQ. Everything goes well until Lauren starts to experience strange things and hears a weird voice. It seems like a warning but from what? Lauren eventually makes the startling discovery that Gavin is a vampire and it has profound consequences for herself. The arrival of Daniel makes things even more confusing for Lauren as she is warned he is bad news from a ghostly source. Laurens life is turned upside down as things she thought were myths and legends become real and she struggles to cope with everything she has discovered.
Will Lauren and Gavin’s relationship survive and what about the mysterious Daniel?

REVIEW:

I haven't accepted in a long time a book to review and when the author asked me to do a review for her book I thought it'd be nice. And indeed it was. This book talks about vampires, witches and ghosts in the modern England.

What I liked about this book was the simplicity it had. Even though Lauren experiences all those weird visions and learns so many new things from the moment she meets Gavin, it surprised me how cool she was. She never lost her temper and she was always accepting the new information. She had some problems and she was complaining about the fact that she couldn't speak to anyone about those, but still she was down-to-earth and not boring or nerve-racking at all. As for the male characters, Gavin and Daniel, they surprised me. They were the complete opposites. They were understanding and nice.

What I didn't like that much about the book was how fast paced it was. We read about a year of Lauren's life in just one book. I felt like I was reading reviews of the event's of her life and there were not many scenes, where you could stay and savour the moment.

Bottom line, I liked it. It is written by Lauren's point of view, so you only learn her thoughts, but the book in general is simple. The end was surprising. It has that small twist that makes you want to read the second one immediately.

"The Chronicles of Fire and Ice" Gets A New Cover!!

Title: Fire and Ice

Series: The Legend of the Archangel.

Genre: NA Paranormal Romance/ Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Collective Presse/ Writer’s Bloq Inc

Format: eBook

Release Date: December 10 2013

Archangels are extinct and the world is now inhabited by a half-human/half-angel race called Nephilim. But it’s been told that one Archangel remains – a child born of fire only known as The Legend.

21-year-old Nephilim Scarlett Porter is about to start her Angel training at the infamous Blackbell Academy, so she doesn’t have time to worry about dreams of mysterious dark angels. The last thing she expected was her dream angel to be Dyston Blackbell or that finding her was part of his mission – a mission Dyston is prepared to fail to keep Scarlett and the secret of who she is safe.

But, danger is closer to Dyston and Scarlett than they realize.

War is brewing, led by a group of Nephilim called The Lucifites, and they need The Legend to carry out their plans. With the help of their friends, the two must find the leader of the Lucifites and stop his plans for destruction. But will Dyston and Scarlett’s love survive what’s coming? How far will Scarlett go to save those she cares about the most?

Add to your Goodreads shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18520596-fire-and-ice

Author’s Bio:

L.L. Hunter is an Australian author who began writing when she was fifteen or sixteen, originally song lyrics, but then moved onto fanfiction when she was nineteen, having published over 20 stories online- One of which was nominated for an award. She has also written, directed and starred in two original plays entitled, “No Frills Airlines: Flight 123,” and the sequel, “No frills Airlines: Come Fly with Us.” The latter of which was a musical.

She has studied everything from veterinary nursing, forensic science and dramatic arts but has always known her true calling to be writing.

Her hobbies include writing her books, reading, singing, acting, directing, watching movies, 50’s fashion and playing with her animals. When she is not writing she can be found reading somewhere comfortable with one or both of her ‘furbabies’.

You can connect with L.L Hunter on Twitter, (@llhunterbooks) Facebook, Goodreads, her blog llhunter.blogspot.com.au, or her website www.llhunter.moonfruit.com

Stalk links:

  

Facebook:

Author page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/LL-Hunter/110104129132865

Series Page: https://www.facebook.com/Legendofthearchangel

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LLHunterbooks

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/L.L.-Hunter/e/B00B2B701I/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1379386637&sr=8-1

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6559537.L_L_Hunter

Blog: http://llhunter.blogspot.com.au

Website: http://llhunter.moonfruit.com/this-is-me/4579831027?preview=Y

Blog Tour: Sanguis City & Author's Interview

I introduce you the first full length novel in the adult paranormal romance series with an urban fantasy edge, Sanguis City!!

**For Mature Audiences Only**

Ever wonder what happens after the world ends?
Lilanoir Rue did. A mere by product of the destruction, she never knew what
happened before hand either. Banished from the only place she called home,
the Human Reservation, she wipes her tears and never looks back.
In a world gone dead, life has never been so good, for some. While others
live in chaos, the chosen call Sanguis City home. The rich and powerful
found a way to survive The End and enjoy every minute of it, for eternity.
On the brink of a gruesome death from starvation, disease or a hungry
mutant, humans flock to sell their blood for peace.
The city of blood, made for and by vampires, welcomes Noir; her kind are in
high demand. Neither Human nor Vampire, Bleeders take care of the city in
the daylight. Draining humans by day and dating Vampires at night leaves
Noir little time to think about her past, or much else, until it finds her.
Three years in the city has earned her a promising career, future and just
maybe a love life. Noir's chaotic life is finally on the right track. When
Noir falls for her sexy new Professor, an Authentic Vampire she also falls
into a web of nightmares. Unable to escape painful memories, she uncovers
more than her own secrets. Some secrets just won't stay dead, and others are
bound to kill her.

Buy link:
http://www.amazon.com/Sanguis-City-ebook/dp/B00E7TKHR6/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1376330641&sr=8-1

Book's website: http://www.sanguiscity.com

Author's Bio:

Morgan Jane Mitchell is an American author who spent years blogging politics and health trends before she rediscovered her love of writing fiction. Her new series, Sanguis City, is a hot paranormal romance with an urban fantasy edge.
Come sink your teeth in www.themorganjane.com

And here's the author's interview...

1. As we always start on the interviews, try to describe your book in one sentence.

Noir, a side effect of The End or the vampire apocalypse, uncovers deadly secrets about Sanguis City and herself in this sexy, suspenseful mystery.

2. Why a story about vampires? What is so fascinating for you that you decided to write about them?

I love vampire books! For me it is pure fun. I spent a long time as a political blogger and that was no fun, but a vampire isn’t too different from a politician. A vampire’s need to feed off of humans fascinates me; it can be sexy or scary. They are sneaky; you never know if you can trust them. I thought a lot about how my vampires would be different and how they would actually work biologically. I wanted them to be less magical and more like another humanoid species, even if all that hasn’t been revealed in the series yet. The fact that vampires can be so ancient and have an enormous history is one thing that intrigues me the most about them as well.

3. Did you do any research before starting writing?

Actually, I did in a roundabout way. I had just visited the Cherokee Reservation in North Carolina, so when I was writing I thought it would be a perfect place for my human reservation. I researched quite a bit about mutations and genetic engineering even though the reader only knows what my main character knows, I had to make my world more believable for myself. I am sure the information will be helpful later in the series. For one of my vampires, I tried to place him in time, figure out where he was from and what his human life would have been like. I found some mythology that is in the back of my mind about Sander and his brother. Although, I have changed it to suit my needs, it is neat to base some things on reality. Again, most of the research I have done has only been slightly touched upon in this first book in the series. I feel like I have laid the ground work to build it up.

4. You are a new author. Was it hard to write the book? What kept you stable to finish it and not give up? Did you have any support?

Although I am a new author, I have been blogging and writing freelance for years. Also, I have written enough fan fiction to fill at least 20 books. So, it was easy for me to finish because I have completed long stories before. I consider myself a story teller. I love to tell a story and that makes pushing through tempting when I know someone wants to read my work. With fan fiction it was easier because I had readers asking for another chapter. With my book, I stopped in the middle of writing it and released two short stories because my character needed a back story. I had to set it in stone, so I could have people asking for Sanguis City. I did have support from my author friend Glenna Maynard. She is my biggest fan and encourages me to continue. My husband was supportive too by listening to me dream up my world and trying to give me the enormous amount of time and peace I needed to finish the book.

5. How long did it take to finish it? Did you had "author's block" at some point and if so, what you did to get over it?

I have been playing with the idea since 2008, writing some here and there. In November 2012, I

started writing more but stopped so many times. Writing the two prequels helped me get over my

block at one point. Another thing I do when I have writers block is write a different story, accept a

writing challenge or write poetry. Also, it helps me to get away from writing and create something I

can finish quickly and successfully. For me that means cooking something fabulous, making a sock

monkey, painting a picture or putting rainbow streaks in my hair.

6. Are you reading or writing something else right now?

I am working on the second book in the Sanguis City series. I don’t outline so the story unfolds before my eyes, sort of like reading a book. Also, I am working on two standalone romance/erotica. I am not sure if I will release them under my real name, but I have never used a pen name before.

7. Did you always wanted to be a writer or it just happened?

When I was very young I wanted to be an author or artist of some kind but those dreams faded. I

never thought I could do it, even while blogging since 2000 and taking jobs to write articles for

ezines! I used to publish a poetry magazine and never thought of including my own work. I wrote fan

fiction for four years and never thought about publishing my own work then either! It was not until

my friend read a 160,000 word fan fiction that I wrote that has had over 100,000+ views and 600+

reviews. She told me she loved it and that I have to write my own story. She read some of my original

work and pushed me to publish it. Fans have been telling me to do it for years, but I guess it coming

from someone that knows me personally meant more.

8. How important you find the communication between you and your readers? Do you reply to their messages or read their reviews?

Most important, I love to hear what readers think of my work. Nothing makes me happier or

motivates me more! Every time I write on Sanguis City – Carpe Noctem it is for everyone that is

excited to read what happens next. Like I said, I had 600 fan fiction reviews – I would love to have

that for my original work, but I haven’t gotten there yet. I loved talking to those fans and getting their

feedback. Actually, I miss fan fiction for that reason. Releasing a chapter at a time and reading

reactions is a huge rush! I wish more people that have read Sanguis City would review or email me!

Come on people, I need it!

9. There are many people that want to be authors. What do you suggest them?

Write, write and write… then let people read it for free and see what they think. If your response is

good, go for it! I may not be the best writer but there is an audience for my work. Find your audience

and start making them happy.

10. Something special you want to share?

I would like to say that I have met so many wonderful authors and bloggers on this adventure. I am so

thankful to be working in such a supportive community of Indie authors. Also, I dedicated Sanguis

City to my fan fiction readers. They are truly the reason I love to write. Their feedback has been the

backbone of everything I write now. I made sure to give them lots of lemons in the book, LOL, inside

FF joke.

And the small ones:

-Your favourite books and author?

Charlaine Harris and her Southern Vampire Mysteries

-Your favourite band/singer?

Tori Amos is my all-time favourite. I have been listening to her since I was a kid.

-Favourite place in the world?

I love the beach, any of them!

-Last movie you watched at the cinemas?

Star Trek Into Darkness

-The last book you've read?

Beautiful Liar by Glenna Maynard

-Have you ever googled yourself?

Been Googling myself since Google was invented! I had a

website in 1997 called MorganJane’s Paisley Crib that had silly animated graphics and midi files.

-Writing, reading or hanging out with friends?

All please!

-If you wouldn't be a writer, what you would be?

An organic farmer, I have a huge garden and

plans somewhere to expand to raising chickens for eggs.

-And last one....printed or ebooks?

Used to be printed but ebooks have grown on me. I like to read the ebook but want to own the book for my growing library.

 Thank you Morgan, for the awesome interview and your kind words for your fans!!

Now, off you go to buy and read her amazing book!!

"Based on...": A good or a bad thing??

We read many times on summaries the words “Based on (title from a classic book/play/story/ etc)…” and since we sometimes love the original title, we immediately convince ourselves to give the alternative a chance.

We, obviously, cannot be sure if the book is going to be good, but since it’s based on something else, it’s going to be worth our time, correct? Wrong! Because sometimes, the authors tend to twist the new story so much that the original story vanishes and leaves you with an empty feeling.

The reviews following are the examples of a nice copy and a bad copy of the original titles.

Book Review: Tris & Izzie

A modern retelling of the German fairytale "Tristan and Isolde", Tris and Izzie is about a young witch named Izzie who is dating Mark King, the captain of the basketball team and thinks her life is going swimmingly well. Until -- she makes a love potion for her best friend Brangane and then ends up taking it herself accidentally, and falling in love with Tristan, the new guy at school.

REVIEW:

I remember the first time I saw the movie “Tristan & Isolde”. Needless to say, I cried at the end. The actors were awesome, the story was awesome, the myth was awesome.

So, when I saw this book, I knew that I had to read it.

I was so convinced that the book was going to be great, that I demanded full privacy to read it. I started with this great feeling I always have when I start a new book. So, you can only guess my surprise, when after the first chapters I found out that the book, actually sucked. I pressed forward, though, but as I was going deeper into the story the more I wasn’t changing my mind.

The story is so far away from the real thing, that I think the author just kept the names. The writing is poor and the story lacks foundation. It has so many different elements, that don’t connect correctly. The characters are worse. They are supposed to be 17-year-old, but they act so childish and their reactions to situations were far from the reality. The friendships and the romantic links are so light that tend to be fake. Plus, there was neither depth nor realism on their connections and story. Everything happens so fast that you cannot follow easily.

All in all, I think that the author scratches the surface. What is more dissapointing is the fact that the author is know for her other works and has written in the past stories of the same genre. The story could have been a great read if it was taken care better.

Book Review: Falling For Hamlet

Meet Ophelia: a blonde, beautiful high-school senior and long-time girlfriend of Prince Hamlet of Denmark. Her life is dominated not only by her boyfriend's fame and his overbearing family, but also by the paparazzi who hound them wherever they go. As the devastatingly handsome Hamlet spirals into madness after the mysterious death of his father, the King, Ophelia rides out his crazy roller coaster life, and lives to tell about it. In live television interviews, of course.

Passion, romance, drama, humor, and tragedy intertwine in this compulsively readable debut novel, told by a strong-willed, modern-day Ophelia.

REVIEW:

I haven’t read the play, but I’ve seen the movie. The one that was placed on our world, but the actors were reciting the actual-real-deal-old-English lines. So I knew what happens at the end, more or less.

This book is an alternative way of presenting the play, placed on our world, about a modern royal family. The names of the characters stick the same, because, as the author says at her note, it's easier that way to understand the role each one has. The story starts and you know something big has happened. Each chapter has a certain motif and you get information piece by piece, in order to keep you interesting. The author doesn't follow a straight line, but she gives us flashbacks of Ophelia's life, who's point of view we are following, so we can understand completely her reactions and feelings.

At the end of the book, the author writes a note, where she explains her reasons why she decided to create this story and how the inspiration stricked her. She also suggest us that the Shakespear's plays were meant to be watched, not read, and that if we haven't yet, we should watch a play or a movie, an original or an alternative version. That the worlds Shakespear used, might be great, but that wasn't the point of writting them. I found her advises and her note very inspiring and interesting. It's good to know beforehand, that the author of this alternative version of a classic play, not only knows what she's doing, but also respects the play enough, to write something new and yet close to the original.

All in all, the book is well presented and the author doesn't destroy the original play, which was the point. It was a very nice and anxious story, by which I caught myself many times wanting to read more in order to know what will happen. I loved it, it was the author's first work into this type of genre and I think she nailed it.