100 Follower Giveaway!!!

So, I have decided to have a 100 follower giveaway!!  I'm going to be giving three books when I reach 100 followers on the blog!!  Raine Thomas has graciously offered Defy, the first book in the Firstborn trilogy, also, Oppression by Jessica Therrien and The Pack by LM Preston!

All you have to do to enter is 1. Follow my blog, and 2. Put your entry via Rafflecopter at the bottom of the page!!!  I'm really excited, and I can't thank the authors enough for taking part in this giveaway for me!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review of Shift by Raine Thomas!!!

Having the ability to shapeshift, Sophia is familiar with change. But even she feels the rising tension in her homeland.

A shadowy male and deadly beast reside in their midst. The births of the newest Kynzesti loom. Hostile Mercesti continue to hunt for the Elder Scroll, and a traumatized female is too afraid to use her abilities to stop them.

Topping off Sophia’s stress is Quincy, the male she’s convinced can’t stand her. She rues the loss of their friendship, but can’t figure out how to move past it. She’ll soon learn, however, that mending that rift bears more significance than she ever imagined.

The search for the Elder Scroll takes on unexpected urgency, and Sophia finds herself in a race across the mainland. To stop the Mercesti led by Eirik, she and her companions must get past their differences and unite against them. If they don’t, Eirik will acquire the immense power he seeks, and two of the beings Sophia loves most will die.

SPOILER ALERT!!! 

Holy crap!!  That's all I have to say.... 

This book had me from the first word!!  When I read a book literally into exhaustion, because I have to read what happens next, I know it's going to be a great book.  No, not great... amazing!!

This is Sophia's story, who we met in the first Firstborn book.  We knew from the first book that Quincy was in love with her, but because of the way Quincy acted around her, Sophia was under the belief that he hated her.  That was so far from the truth.  He didn't know how to act around her, and was afraid of various things that proved to be totally wrong in the end.  

They are on the hunt for the second piece of the Elder Scroll, and are hoping to get it before Eirik.  Unfortunately, he has different plans and allies with someone who is more dangerous then she lets on.  She has her own plans for the scroll, and keeps those plans hidden from Eirik.  You don't know the full impact of her cruelty, until you realize why Knorbis, who was dedicated to the Firstborn children, and an elder, seems to betray them.  

It is decided that Sophia and her cousins will make the long journey to the scroll.  Quincy, who had been to the place it is hidden, is forced to stay behind with Amber, Olivia and Skye to assist in the delivery of their babies.  He is torn, because he wants to go with Sophia and make sure she doesn't get hurt.  It is a journey they know is going to be dangerous.  They just don't realize how dangerous it ends up being.  

After a disagreement with Tate, Sophia runs off, shapeshifting into a panther.  While up in a tree, she witnesses a tender moment between Tate and Zacahriah, and realizes there is more to their relationship then what they want people to think.  This is when things start really happening in the book.  We know that Eirik needs Tate and Ariana to obtain the scroll for the same reasons as the first book.  Their abilities allow them to get to the scroll without much difficulty.  I was beginning to think that maybe they would both be unscathed... man.. how wrong I was!  

Knorbis makes a fateful decision, that he grows to regret and tries to undue.  He attempts too late to save the girls, but is intercepted by Eirik and his new ally.  Tate, makes a decision, that she hopes will save her life, and it almost does.  Unfortunately in an attempt to save Ariana, she herself is almost killed.  It was hard to read that, as I love Tate!  She's so carefree, and I hope what happens to her doesn't change her.  Zachariah, who seems pretty hard on her, loves her dearly, and is devastated by what has happened to her.  

Also, it's two loves stories in one.  Teige, Tate's brother, is terrified that Ariana is taken again.  He's in constant worry about her mental stability, and if she's hurt.  He knew she was tortured by Eirik the last time, and is hoping against hope it doesn't happen again.   There is a creature named Deimos from the last book, who is out for Ariana's blood, and he's praying she's not hurt again!  Well, Ariana proves she is not a victim when it comes to that creature, and comes out swinging at the end of it!  

Sophia, who attempted to follow her cousin and friend with Knorbis, is saved by a group of Mercesti, very much like Zachariah.   They had been forced, by mind control, to do something that would turn them into a Mercesti.  It was nice to see that not all Mercesti were evil, and ready to do bad things.  These group of people had had contact with Saraqael's Daughters at some point, were showing emotion to Sophia, and proved they could be invaluable in the fight against Eirik.  They assist her in finding Hoygul, who in The Prophecy, and who I love!!  I still love his character in this book!

There is a funny moment between Teige and Zachariah before they enter the sacred library that had me laughing!  Just because Zachariah is such a guy, and they have to be in very close proximity with each other. The ending of the book made me sad, just because I held out hope up until the very end that everything was going to be ok.  Trust me when I say, you will be on the edge of your seat from start to finish!!  

Brief bio: Raine Thomas is the author of a popular series of YA fantasy romance novels about the Estilorian plane, including the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy and the Firstborn trilogy. She is a proud member of Romance Writers of America and is a contributing blogger to The Writer's Voice. When she isn’t planning weddings, writing or glued to social networking sites, she can usually be found on one of Florida’s beautiful beaches with her husband and daughter or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.

Ways readers can connect with Raine:

Twitter (http://twitter/Raine_Thomas) 
Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/rainethomas) 
Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5053436.Raine_Thomas)

Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/raine_thomas/)
Website (http://rainethomas.com)
Blog (http://RaineThomas.com/blog/)

SHIFT ON GOODREADS

SHIFT ON AMAZON

Guest Post by Janiera Eldridge!!

Here it is... My Friendly Friday again!  Today I have Janiera Eldridge posting today on the blog!  Welcome Janiera, and thank you for guest posting today!  Janiera and I are friends on Facebook, and she said she was interested in guest posting on the blog today!

My Rather…..Intense Reading Schedule

         I consider myself a “professional reader” and I do my heaviest reading right before bed. For some reason. I’ve developed a whole routine around reading at night, which is kind strange now that I think about it but hey at least you know I love reading!
So here is how it goes:

·                   1.    Check email, FB, Twitter, usually end up staying online longer than I need to…gripe about being on too long.

·                 2.    Hop in the shower which feels unnaturally good after the Fibro pains have set in for the day.

·         Get out of shower, slather on some sweet smelling lotion, light candles- sleeping candles so that if I’m lucky I’ll fall asleep before 3 a.m.

·              3.   Set up my pillows exactly how I want them to make myself comfortable, fidget with my kindle (or paperback) for about 5 minutes to make myself comfortable. I’m sure if someone filmed it, it would make great entertainment.

·                    4.    Read until A. My eyes feel like steel doors and can’t be held them open any longer or B. The book is so wonderful I don’t go to bed until 4 am because it is just so freakin’ awesome. It’s a good thing I’m a full time author who has complete control over her enter schedule. or I’d be so screwed.

         So, that’s my schedule lovelies! I really hope since I’ve bared my soul to you on my freakish reading routine, I’m not the only one who has one. I was a reader before I was a writer and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Janiera Eldridge is the author of Soul Sisters.

Synopsis:

Soul Sisters is an urban fantasy novel about African-American twin sisters Ani and Dana who have a rather unique secret: one sister is human while the other is a vampire. While the sisters have lived peacefully with each other for many years one fateful night will change both their lives forever. When a drunken man tries to attack Dana (the human sister) Ani (the vampire sister) protects her sister with all of her ferocious power. 

However, when the vampire’s leader Donovan finds out about the public display he calls for the sisters to be assassinated for disobedience. Ani and Dana now are in for the fight of their lives to protect each other as well as the lives of their dedicated friends who have joined them on their mission for survival. If Dana and Ani can make it through this time of uncertainty, Ani can take her new place as vampire queen. Soul Sisters is expected to be a trilogy; The book also features a multicultural cast of characters that brings a new edge of chic to the vampire world.

Urban Fantasy

Published by Mystic Press

Release Date: August 18th, 2012

SOUL SISTERS BY AMAZON
SOUL SISTERS ON B&N
SMASHWORDS LINK
PAPERBACK COPY
GOODREADS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Janiera enjoys feeding her book addiction when she not writing. She is also a book blogger at Beauty and Books where she mixes being a book nerd with keeping things chic. When not reading or writing she is freelance writing in the entertainment industry. Soul Sisters is her debut novel.

Connect with her:
Blog: Beauty and Books: http://janieraeldridge.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/lazenbeauty
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/janiera.eldridge.1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jaeldridge18/

Cover Reveal for Uprising by Jessica Therrien

This is the second book in the Children of the Gods series, Oppression being the first book.  Uprising will be available to buy February 19th, 2013!!  Not really happy I have to wait until next year, but again... I'm not patient when it comes to books...

Here is an excerpt of Uprising:

             We left everything but the weapons. Clothes, food, toothpaste. There wasn’t time for things that weren’t essential to escape. The five of us went on foot in a direction that was meaningless to me. I had never seen what was outside of the edges of the safe haven, not since I’d been here.

             When Mac stopped abruptly after our fifteen-minute trek into the woods, we all froze at once, bodies poised and ready to attack, eyes searching for threats.

            “We’re here,” Mac announced. “What should we expect Marcus?”

             I had never heard Dr. Nickel called by his first name, and it made me realize he wasn’t as untouchable as I had imagined. Just because he was here, didn’t mean we were safe.

            “I don’t know,” he answered. “Maybe an army, maybe nothing. Depends on where they are.”

            “Everyone best get down on the ground just in case,” Mac decided with a nod. “Weapons ready.”

            As I lay belly down in the dirt, I noticed Dr. Nickel pull a gun from his belt, and my stomach gave a heave.

           “When I remove the haven walls, there will be a van. Everyone get in back. If anything goes wrong…” Mac paused, uncomfortable at the thought. “It’s been nice knowin’ ya.”

***

Jessica Therrien is the author of the young adult paranormal fiction series Children of the Gods. Book one in the series, Oppression, was published by ZOVA Books in February of 2012 and became a Barnes & Noble best-seller shortly after its release. The second book in the series, Uprising, will be available in February of 2013.

Aside from her Children of the Gods series, Jessica’s work can also be found in a published collection of flash fiction stories called Campaigner Challenges 2011. Out of over 350 submissions her story, The Soulless, won first place for people’s choice and fourth place in the judging round of Rachael Harrie’s Writing Campaign Challenge. Her story, Saved, is also available as part of the anthology.

Jessica spent most of her life in the small town of Chilcoot, California, high up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In this town of nearly 100 residents, with no street lights or grocery stores, there was little to do but find ways to be creative. Her mother, the local English teacher, inspired her to do all things artistic, and ultimately instilled in her a love for language.

In 2003, Jessica attended California State University Long Beach where her passion for language found her studying Chinese, and in 2005 she moved to Taiwan to study abroad. From 2005 to 2006 Jessica was fully immersed in the Chinese language as she attended National Taiwan University, and in 2008 she graduated from San Diego State University magna cum laude.

Jessica currently lives in Chula Vista with her husband and is working on book three in her Children of the Gods series.

Elyse knows what it means to keep a secret. She's been keeping secrets her whole life. Two, actually. First, that she ages five times slower than the average person, so that while she looks eighteen years old, she's closer to eighty. Second, that her blood has a mysterious power to heal. For Elyse, these things don't make her special. They make life dangerous. After the death of her parents, she's been careful to keep her secret as closely guarded as possible. Now, only one other person in the world knows about her age and ability. Or so she thinks. Elyse is not the only one keeping secrets. There are others like her all over the world, descendants of the very people the Greeks considered gods. She is one of them, and they have been waiting for her for a long time. Among so many of her kind, she should not be very remarkable--except for the prophecy. Some believe she will put an end to traditions, safeguarded by violence, which have oppressed her people for centuries. Others are determined to keep her from doing just that. But for Elyse, the game is just beginning--and she's not entirely willing to play by their rules.

CHILDREN OF THE GODS ON FACEBOOK

UPRISING ON GOODREADS

Follow Jessica on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jessicatherrien

Her Blog: http://jessica-therrien.blogspot.com/

Pininterest: http://pinterest.com/authorjtherrien/

Tumblr: http://jessicatherrien.tumblr.com/

Review of The Broken Destiny by Carlyle Labuschagne!!!!

An amazing new sci-fi series begins with The Broken Destiny: Book One of The Broken Series.

Ava is the great granddaughter of the founder of their kind: The Broken were genetically enhanced to survive evolution during the last years on earth, after which their experiments were abandoned and they moved to another planet, named Poseidon.

Ava carries a secret journal of her mother's, which leads her to believe that her people are not what they seem. Ava has to decipher her mother's rantings in the journal, differentiating truth from madness to determine The Broken's true identities and origins. A few of The Broken will soon experience a "change," and each generation's change differs from the previous. (Ava's generation has been labeled the make it or break it generation.)

Weeks before Ava's seventeenth birthday, an attempted kidnapping by Zulu warriors changes her destiny forever. Saved by a Minoan boy, she is taken back to his village where all the lies about her kind's existence (and how they came to be exiled to planet Poseidon) are brought to light. The Minoans are an ancient race that carries a secret tying in with Ava's prophesied destiny. Her destiny is to rise above the fall, to become what she hates to save them all.

The story continues in the next book Evanescent.

O...M....G.... I was glued to this book for about a day and a half!  I loved it!  If I could give it ten daisies, I would, because it's that good!  It had me guessing all the way up to the end, and I love it when a book does that!  

Alright... deep breath... I'm good.  First let me say something about the Lovely Carlyle!  I met her, like Raine Thomas, on Twitter.  I consider her a friend, even though I've never met her!  She's an amazing person, and I am thankful she gave me the opportunity to read this amazing book of hers!!  Not that I've been patient.... but it was sooo worth the wait!!

The Broken Destiny is about Ava.  She lives on another planet called Poseidon, believing that Earth was destroyed years ago.   She lives in a dorm with her best friend Sam, who at times, I thought was a little jealous of Ava.  Throughout the book she proves she a friend, but there are a few times she very unfriendly things that made me question how much a friend she was to Ava.

It is after an attack with her friend Maya, she's forced to stay in a Minoan village with Maya's family.  She meets Anaya, who is Maya's mother and Enoch, who is her brother.  While she is staying in the village, she finds out that she is one of the Broken Ones, who was genetically enhanced after many experiments were done.  She'll be going through The Change.  She doesn't know what the change is, but she knows that it's coming.    Also, she finds herself attracted to Enoch.  She has the feeling that he's not what he seems, as he's always angry and is nasty with her at times.  

She starts on a journey with Maya and Enoch, and is attacked twice by the Zulu people, who want her for her blood.  After hearing this, she knows something is going on with her body.  When she meets Kronan, a member of the Council that governs the planet, he explains what is happening to her.  She is part of a prophecy, and The Change is part of her Destiny.  She finds out the leader of the Zulu's wants her to bring back an ancient King.  Only with her blood, can it be done.  

Then there is Troy.... he's lovely... when she first discovers Troy, it is in her kitchen when he sneaks into the house one night.  She doesn't think much about it until, after one of her attacks.  She hears his voice, but can not see his face.  She knows that he and Enoch are arguing at each other, but that's about it.  When she goes to meet with Enoch, this is when she finally sees him for the first time, and she is instantly attracted.  She's bothered when he doesn't seem to want her, but he proves that his attention is totally on her.  

As I said, I have been waiting to read this book since Carlyle was still writing it!!  It was so worth the wait!  I now have to wait impatiently for the second one to come out.  Oh well... good things come to those who wait... I guess.... 

I loved this book!  I loved Ava, and I loved how close she had gotten with Maya.  There were times with Sam that made me question just how loyal she was to Ava.  She would do or say things to purposely hurt Ava, and I didn't think that was what a true friend would do.  She does prove her loyalty to Ava, which made me happy.  Enoch totally shocked me at the end, but I was glad what happened with him.  

Once Ava has her powers, she's forced to make decisions that are hard for her to live with.  It is who she considers her family, that come and make her snap out of her depression.  She learns to come to terms with everything that has happened, and Troy finally comes to her, making it known to everyone that he is, and always will be with her.  

Carlyle is doing a giveaway on her blog for the book right now!  Follow this link to put your name in for a chance to win the book and some beautiful jewelry!  

BROKEN DESTINY GIVEAWAY

BROKEN DESTINY ON GOODREADS

THE BROKEN DESTINY ON AMAZON

Cover Reveal of Derailed by Alyssa Rose Ivy

When you're lost, sometimes the only place you can go is home.

Broken over the death of her fiancé, Molly leaves law school to return to her childhood home in North Carolina. Expecting to lay low until she can figure out what else to do with her life, she finds herself in the arms of her high school sweetheart, the boy who represents everything from the past she tried to leave behind.

Looking for an escape, she instead finds a way back to the girl she almost forgot existed and a future she never dreamed possible.

It will be available Septemby 26th, 2012

DERAILED ON GOODREADS

Guest Post by Raine Thomas!!!!!

So... after much begging and pleading, and more begging... on my part... Raine graciously did a guest blog for me!!  Yay for me!!!  Yes, I am doing a happy dance right now!

All in a Day’s Work: What I’ve Learned after a Year as a Published Author

Thanks, Jess, for inviting me to the blog. It’s a pleasure to be here!

It’s hard to believe that it has been a year since my Daughters of Saraqael trilogy was published. At this time last year, I was really wet behind the ears. Everything intimidated me. Seriously.

Having my book-iversary has made me a little nostalgic, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to tell you a bit about my own writing journey, and offer a few tips that might help you on yours. I know we’re all at different points in our careers, but hopefully I can help even one fellow writer today!

Before July of last year, I’d never used Twitter. My only Facebook account was my personal one, and I wasn’t about to turn that into an author platform. I’d never used Google+, and Pinterest wasn’t really off the ground yet. I’d barely even read a blog, never mind written one. I guess I published my books thinking everything would magically be okay.

Well, magic or not, I’ve somehow managed to nurture a steady writing career. I leaped into Twitter and now have nearly 6,000 followers. I created a professional Facebook page, an author page, and a page dedicated to my books, all of which have hundreds of friends and fans. I’m addicted to Pinterest and have even gotten my husband to browse on it when he thinks I’m not looking (no small feat). Google+ is a great resource, though I don’t use it often enough. I’m also a member of several tribes on Triberr, maximizing my blog exposure. Somehow, in the midst of all of this, I’ve published a fourth book and have the fifth one, Shift, set for release on August 24^th.

Huh. Would you listen to me? I almost sound as though I know what I’m doing! Quite the difference from a year ago, I assure you.

How did I learn what I’ve learned while managing a full-time wedding planning career and raising a family? I can only say it was one day at a time. What I’d like to do is pass along some tips that I hope will help you on your own path. Here we go:

1.  There is no “formula” to writing a bestseller. You can read blogs, articles, and book after book, but no one really knows what will be the next hot selling sensation. What works for one author will not work for all.

            2.  Don’t expect to be an overnight success. I’m the first one to tell you that it just might happen for you. Others might naysay and argue that very few people are ever successful with their first book, but I say that you could be one of those few. Just don’t expect it. Instead, expect to work hard to achieve your dreams.

       3. Support others. The writing community can afford to be supportive and generous. Just because someone buys one author’s book doesn’t mean they won’t also buy yours. Lose any sense of competition and focus on helping the next guy. It will come back to you when you need it, and you’ll make some lifelong friends along the way.

       4.  Avoid self-promotion. This is a hard one. Many people don’t understand the concept of marketing their own books without engaging in self-promotion. The fact is, you can “passively” market your book in a way that doesn’t come across as a pitch for selling a used car. You can participate in interviews and giveaways, join a network of fellow authors and exchange promotional posts with them, pin images related to your books to catch the eyes of readers, and, yes, occasionally write guest posts for other writers and bloggers. J

       5.  Build your social media presence. This is an ongoing process. You have to be involved and engaged or you’ll lose fans and followers. Diversify and go outside of one platform (such as only Twitter or Facebook) so you can reach multiple groups of potential readers.

       6.  Write a good book. This is truly the bottom line. We all know this is subjective, but if your book is reviewed by an editor for content and spelling/grammar, and you use a good cover designer, you will get sales.

I think that hits the highlights. I’d love to hear from you with more tips! Please leave a comment or reach out to me on my social network sites. Thanks again, Jess, for the opportunity!

I have posted the pics of Raine's book's so everyone can see what she has achieved!!  Raine, you are my inspiration to get my book done and published!  You are proof that someone who works full-time, has a family and obligations can do it!!  I got lost in my book last night for the first time in awhile, and it felt great!  I can't wait to start Shift though.... as you said to me the other night... I am Esiltorian obsessed!!!  

Part 2: Interview with Dawn Kirby!!

This was a two-parter on the blog!  The first part was the review and giveaway of the book, and here is the interview part for the book!  Thanks Dawn!  Welcome to my blog! 

What is Secrets about?

Secrets is about a young woman who has been kept in the dark about her past. Well, her parents’ past. She has gifts; senses most people don’t, but she assumes she inherited them from the father she’s never met. However right she may be, she has no idea what those gifts mean…Leah is, in fact, a Dhampir; the biological daughter of a vampire.

That’s where the story begins.  

Describe the main character of Secrets. Why is she like this?

She’s strong for the most part. Her mother has raised her to be open minded and caring, almost to a fault. Mia knew one day that the secrets hidden within her daughter would come out and by molding her into the strong, loving, self sacrificing woman she is, has given her a chance to survive in the supernatural world that WILL come to consume her.  

What inspired you to write this book and why?

The idea for SECRETS has been in my head for years. I’ve always been able to push it away, but about four years ago I couldn’t anymore. I sat down to put everything on paper in an attempt to get it out of my head. Eight hours later, I was still writing. The story unfolded in a way I never expected and I had to see it through.

Describe the characters of the book.

SECRETS has a little something for everybody.

There’s Leah, strong, sweet, caring and very determined. Drew is her best friend. She is sarcastic, opinionated and not afraid to say what’s on her mind. Blood thirsty vamp or wooly were, she will not hesitate to tell you exactly how she feels. Kale is the happy-go-lucky one of the bunch. He protects his family with the bravery of a lion, but does so with more charisma than you can possibly imagine. Raine is Kale’s little brother and a one of a kind. He has secrets just like Leah, but his may be more dangerous as they pit him against the local pack leader. David has not only helped protect Leah all her life, he’s also helped Raine keep his secrets. He knows what evil looks like and he is determined to keep everyone he can safe from it. Mia, Leah’s mother plays her role as the grieving “almost” wife, strong single mother and business owner well. Meanwhile hiding the truth from Leah, thinking her not knowing will keep her safe. May, otherwise known as Granny is the glue that holds them all together. She’s wise and has a way of putting even Mia’s mind at ease. Declan is probably the most powerful, though nobody knows it yet. He as laid back as they come, but when it comes to Leah, he will fight even the most terrifying creatures to the death to keep her out of their clutches. Donovan is THE MAN out of the group. He watches his house as well as his businesses like a hawk. Nothing gets by him and if it does he comes down on them without mercy.       

 How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing for approximately five years now.

What or who inspires you to write?

Everything does. I watch people. They inspire characters. I hear music. It inspires ideas. Pictures inspire stories. Weather inspires the mood of a scene. No matter where I look, there’s always inspiration. 

Do you have a favorite author? Why?

Not really. There are so many I enjoy reading for a host of different reasons it would be hard to pick a favorite.

What do you like to do while writing?

I love listening to music while I’m writing. It’s so much easier to write when you have something to draw off of. Sometimes a song will come on that sets the mood for a scene. Other times it might plant an idea for a whole other story.

If you could have ten authors over for dinner, who would you have and why?

Oh my, I don’t even know how to begin answering that question. There are so many I’d like to sit down and talk to.

What type of music do you listen to? Why?

Music has always been a passion of mine. When I was growing up I aspired to be singer. I wanted nothing more than to be on stage singing to a crowded room than anything else. Though those dreams have faded, I still love letting the music take me places nothing else can.  

What advice would you give to aspiring authors like me?

Write. That’s it. Write and never stop. 

Part 1: Review and Giveaway of Secrets by Dawn Kirby!!

When I was asked to be a part of this blog tour, I jumped at the chance!!!  So, here is the first part, which is the review, and tomorrow I will be doing an interview with the author.  Also, we are doing a giveaway of the book!  Since I'm doing a giveaway of four books, I'm just going to consolidate them!  Four books after 100 followers!  It's easier that way!!  Not so confusing!!  

It is said that the truth will set you free, but for Leah it kills.

Leah always knew she was different. From her extreme light sensitivity, to her ability to read people by their auric scent, she kept these differences secret.

Not even Mia, Leah's mother, knew the fullness of her daughter's differences, but she held even greater secrets to Leah's past - the truth about her father and Leah's conception.

With the escape of an old foe, Mia is too late to reveal to her daughter
the truth before Judith can exact her revenge in a wash of blood and death.

Thrown into a world unheard of, Leah discovers that she is not alone in keeping her secrets. That there are people from her parent's past who would die to protect her. If she only knew why.

Raine, placed as her protector, hides deadly secrets of his own. Drawn to each other, Leah and Raine must uncover the truth before one of both are killed.

I gave this book four stars because I loved the story. I did get frustrated with this book, because it took so long for the story to actually begin.  I don’t know if it was done purposefully, but I was starting to get really frustrated along with Leah, the main character. 

This book is about Leah Phillips, who is special.  She has enhanced hearing, can see perfectly at night, and can heal very quickly.  Also, her eyes are sensitive to light.  She doesn’t know why she’s like this, but it’s how she’s always been.  Another one of her abilities, is to see people’s moods by a color haze that surrounds them.  She realizes while watching her mother with David, that this is what it is.  She also can smell people, and find out their character.  The color haze goes along with the smell.  The nastier the person, the nastier the smell.

She’s been led to believe by her mother, Mia, that her father disappeared when she was younger, and is thought to be dead.  When she asks about him, her mother always shuts down, and doesn’t tell her anything.  She works with her mother in a holistic shop. 

When she overhears her mother on the phone with someone named May, that’s when things start happening.  She first meets a man named David, who her is her mother’s accountant.  It is just after the phone call, her mother tells her to not tell anyone who she is.  Doesn’t tell her why, but says it’s for her own protection. 

                When someone comes into the store, asking about her, she realizes there is something going on.  When she tells her mother about this guy, again she is cryptic about what is going on, and who wants her.   This is was the starting of my frustration with all the evasiveness.  Every time I thought I would finally find out about this secret, it would be put off again and again. 

                One secret is realized about David, who is a vampire, and her father.  At first she is angry about why he’s not been around, and is again told to wait about who is after her.  When she realized that her mother is late coming home, she worries something is seriously wrong.  She and David go to the store and find her mother beaten and killed.  It is at this point, she meets two people who become very dear to her. 

                She tried again to get some kind of information about the person who killed her mother, but is again told to wait.  At this point, I felt her anger and frustration.  When she finds the person who killed her mother, dead in his own truck, this is when her exhaustion from the night catches up with her.  Also, her first run in with Raine, but she doesn’t realize it yet.  She’s taken to a house, where she meets May for the first time.  She realizes this is the woman who her mother was talking to on the phone.  The older woman instantly puts her at ease. 

                When she wakes up with Raine in her room with her, she knows he is different.  The attraction starts immediately, and I don’t really blame her.  He’s beautiful!!  This is when she asks him to tell her what is going on, and again she is told to wait.  I think I was screaming at this point!  How much more does this girl have to go through to find out the truth? 

                It is when she’s contacted with Raine there, by a vampire, who wants her for himself, that things start happening.  She is taken to Donovan, who is a friend of her fathers, and a very old vampire, who tells her everything.  She finds out there a psycho vampire who is obsessed with David, and wants her mother dead.  That this woman just wants David for herself and no one else. She finds out that this woman did things against David’s will that are mindboggling. 

She also finds out that Raine and Kale, Raine’s older brother are werewolves.  She is surprised that she doesn’t mind that they are werewolves.  She’s very understanding about everything she is told… sometimes too understanding.  There were times I just wanted her to get angry… In her circumstance, I think she was allowed to be very angry about everything that happened to her.  She had just lost her mother, and found out that the father, who she thought was dead, was very much alive!

When she finds out that Michael has kidnapped her father and her mother’s body, everyone gets into action.  In a way to save Raine and her friends, she sacrifices herself to the woman who killed her mother, and Dane, who wants Raine for himself.  While she is there, she is beaten and tortured by Dane and his son Mark.  She is forced to watch her mother’s body burn, and the father who she was just getting to know and care about, die in front of her. 

It is after she is beaten and tortured, she is able to attempt an escape with Donovan.  When they are caught by Michael, Raine and her friends come to save her.  He is finally able to confront Dane for everything that he has done.  Also, he’s able to come clean about the secret he has held since he was young. 

I did like this book, and I loved the characters in it.  My favorite was Drew, just because she was behind Leah all the way.  There was no wavering in her friendship with her.  This book did leave me hanging, which I like.  You don't get to find out who is after her, but when a vampire named Rafe, who had been close to Donovan steals her blood, and hints there another vampire after her, I was intrigued.  I can't wait for the second book to come now! 

About the Author: By day, Dawn is a typical mom running around after her children, catering to her husband’s needs, acting as a taxi driver, and gourmet chef living in Odessa, Texas, with her husband, and three children. Then by night she falls into a world filled with shirtless werewolves, lethal vampires, and dangerous adventures. Her short stories have been published in Seven Deadly Sins (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13517087-seven-deadly-sins) and 13 Tales of Paranormal (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12852482-13-tales-of-the-paranormal) 

Author Blog http://dawnmkirby.wordpress.com/

Author On Goodreads:

        http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5268211.Dawn_Kirby

Author on Smashwords:

        https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/DawnMKirby

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Secrets/302970983827

Twitter: http://twitter.com/secretswriter

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Guest Post by Emily Walker!!!

I would like to welcome Emily to the blog!!  Emily and I are FB friends and also follow each other on Twitter.  I also did my first author interview for Emily not too long ago, and have a guest post on her blog at the end of the month.

When I asked Emily to do this post, she mentioned the word Steampunk.  If you're like me, you're thinking it was an eighties band from England... it's not.  It's a genre!!  I had no idea it was an actual genre!!  More like historial sci-fi in a way.

First of all, thanks for having me Jessica! Steampunk is fun to say isn't it? It isn't a new genre, but it is getting a bit of a revamp here lately.

So what is it? It is an awesome genre that came around in the late eighties that has a little bit of everything. It combines elements of sci fi, fantasy, history, and horror. The setting of the stories is often in an era when steam power is still used. This is usually in the 19th century. Lots of Steampunk books are set in the Victorian era. One of the best examples is H.G. Wells Time Machine, but there are many others! Steampunk often takes place in the Victorian period with 19th century technology. That is one of the easiest ways to describe the genre.

There are some that would argue that steampunk is not a genre and that it is at best a sub-category of science fiction. It really comes down to what you think. A great website to check out for all things Steampunk is http://www.steampunk.com. They even have a Steampunk bookstore for your viewing pleasure.

This is Steampunk with a Paranormal Twist… hmmmm.

The undead matriarch of a Britain where the Aristocracy is made up of werewolves and vampires, where goblins live underground and mothers know better than to let their children out after dark. A world where being nobility means being infected with the Plague (side-effects include undeath), Hysteria is the popular affliction of the day, and leeches are considered a delicacy. And a world where technology lives side by side with magic. The year is 2012.

Xandra Vardan is a member of the elite Royal Guard, and it is her duty to protect the Aristocracy. But when her sister goes missing, Xandra will set out on a path that undermines everything she believed in and uncover a conspiracy that threatens to topple the empire. And she is the key-the prize in a very dangerous struggle.

This one is more historical and maybe suspenseful

London, 1889. Victoria is Queen. Charles Darwin’s son is Prime Minister. And steam is the power that runs the world. At 17, Claire Trevelyan, daughter of Viscount St. Ives, was expected to do nothing more than pour an elegant cup of tea, sew a fine seam, and catch a rich husband. Unfortunately, Claire’s talents lie not in the ballroom, but in the chemistry lab, where things have a regrettable habit of blowing up. When her father gambles the estate on the combustion engine and loses, Claire finds herself down and out on the mean streets of London. But being a young woman of resources and intellect, she turns fortune on its head. It’s not long before a new leader rises in the underworld, known only as the Lady of Devices . . . When she meets Andrew Malvern, a member of the Royal Society of Engineers, she realizes her talents may encompass more than the invention of explosive devices. They may help her realize her dreams and his . . . if they can both stay alive long enough to see that sometimes the closest friendships can trigger the greatest betrayals . . .

Don’t you just love Steampunk covers?  I do. I haven’t read any of the books, but now I want to!

Thanks for joining me for some Steampunk talk today.

Emily Walker

You can visit me anytime on my site – http://www.selfpublishordie.com

Thanks so much Emily!!  Also, Emily told me that she just signed a contract Great Minds Think Aloud Publishing for her book Zombified!!  Check out her link above to learn more about it!!  I'm really excited for you Emily!  Congrats!!!  Makes me can't wait until my own is finally done and published!!  I feel like the Little Engine that could... I think I can!  I think I can!!

Again, congrats Emily!!  I really happy for you!!