Saturday, January 9, 2016

Miranda's Rights (Paranormal Detectives Book 2) by Lily Luchesi

                           MirandasRightsParanormalDetectivesBookTwoCover.jpg

This review was written by: B and C
Received: Author
Publication Date of Book: January 8, 2016
Pages: 128
Stars: 5/5

Summary:
Danny Mancini is glad to be rid of the Paranormal Investigative Division (PID), especially if it means that Angelica is out of his life forever.  Loving her had been so easy until he found out that she was a half-vampire, which was when the ever-present disgust set in.  How could he possibly love a woman who thrives on drinking actual human blood for survival?  His past life and his previous love for her seem all but a distant dream.  Plus, the paranormal creatures that she opened his eyes to refuse to leave him, especially when he goes to sleep at night.  Nightmare after nightmare plagues him . . . and then things get worse.  One fateful evening, he is suddenly targeted by a group of vicious werewolves intent on capturing him.  Near death (and fighting for his life), he has no choice but to immediately call for some much needed help, but help cannot come from just anyone.  A regular human would never be able to fend off this sharp-toothed, formidable enemy.  No, they have to understand his situation and be experienced in these matters, and that person just so happens to be the one who he wants to erase from his memory forever, Angelica.

Daniel cannot turn his back on this recent event.  The murderous werewolves were not just any old shape shifters.  They were cursed and after Angelica, too.  This former detective has no other choice but to join forces with the PID once again and face the horrible possibility of a conniving, practically impossible to kill witch, all while facing the half-vampire who he just can't shake from his heart.  While all of this is bound to be difficult for Danny to deal with, another unexpected surprise pops into his life.  While at the PID, his long deceased fiancĂ© Miranda walks right up to him.  She's a vampire, and has been so since her supposed "passing."  Working as a PID agent, she was kept hidden from her family and friends by being forced to work on an entirely different continent.  However, she's come back to be with Danny, even if he doesn't feel the same way.  

Why were the werewolves after Danny and Angelica?  How can someone fight a force that refuses to die?  Will Angelica finally give in and become a full vampire, relinquishing her of her passionate feelings for the man who does not reciprocate her own passion?  What does Miranda have up her sleeve to win Danny back?  How does Danny really feel about Angelica?  Read Miranda's Rights and find out for yourself just what happens to these characters!  Just remember, love can be tricky, especially when dealing with vampires!  

Review:
After the ending of Stake-Out, C and I were immediately dying for more Paranormal Detectives novels, and when we were given the opportunity to read this new installment, we couldn't have been more excited!  Lily Luchesi outdid herself with this stunning sequel, which was somehow even better than the first book!!!  Fans will not be disappointed to read this one.  Favorite characters returned for an incredible story with an intriguing plot, fantastic villains, and even more supernatural creatures and thrills than ever before.

To begin with, we first have to express our love for Angelica.  We were extremely impressed with this strong, half-vampire in the first novel, but Miranda's Rights put her over the top.  There's something about her that is so kick-butt and (for lack of a better word) awesome!  Luchesi proudly presents a character devoid of the common female tropes found too often in literature today.  Angelica is everything we could ask for in a character . . . and more!  It was also lovely to see that although Angelica is a confident, capable woman, she is still feminine.  The author definitely obtained her goal of creating a female character that retains her feminine qualities while still kicking-ass in her six inch heels!  We believe that audience members will fall in love with this half-vampire in a heartbeat!  Also, she is a great role model for those out there who think that they can't be fearless, courageous, and beautiful all at once!  There are simply no words to describe the wonder that is Angelica Cross. 

The great thing about Miranda's Rights is that it picks up soon after Stake-Out ends.  Also, the action picks up in the very first chapter and continues to build as the story progresses.  Paranormal creatures were introduced during this installment that we would never have expected.  Sure, there was bound to be witches, werewolves, and vampires, but we were not expecting demons, other shape shifters, and even fey-folk!  This is not your average vampire novel.  Luchesi adds layer upon layer to this world of hers that crafts a unique experience that readers will happily return to.  The surprise and twists and turns she takes you on, you will never have seen coming!

Elements from the last book were gracefully carried into the next, including Supernatural references (If you haven't seen this show, what are you doing with your life?!) and lyrics that correspond and set off each chapter.  We'll be honest, we fangirled hardcore each time Supernatural was alluded to.  (We have no shame.)  There were also flashbacks once again regarding Angela's past.  These moments add depth to the story and enriched the book as a whole.  Those precious moments were our absolute favorite.  It took the story to a whole new level, embellishing important moments.

Perhaps one of the strongest elements in Miranda's Rights, was the relationship between Danny and Angelica.  Love can be a wonderful and painful thing.  One minute it can make you ecstatic beyond reason, but the next thing you know, it's as if you're drowning.  Sorting out your feelings can be like wading through mud, and deciphering what you're truly feeling is sometimes impossible.  How can you love someone but feel a need to distance yourself from them at the same time? This is what Danny's struggling with.  The inscrutable fact is that he loves Angelica, but how does that love extend?  How much love will it take for him to come to accept someone of a completely different nature than himself?  These are just a few questions that are proposed throughout the book.  

So, if you're looking for a paranormal read with some mystery, horror, action, and romance, look no further!  And if you haven't picked up this series yet, we strongly suggest that you do.  It's definitely worth it. Lily Luchesi has proven herself yet again as a capable author who can write compelling stories like no other!

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Sunday, January 3, 2016

Blog Tour: Max the Brave

“Are You My Mother?” meets “I Want My Hat Back” in the hilarious new picture book, Max the Brave (Sept. 8), by author and illustrator Ed Vere. Follow fearless Max as he encounters every other creature except the one he’s searching for…mouse. Check out the trailer!


About the book:

Max is a fearless kitten. Max is a brave kitten. Max is a kitten who chases mice. There's only one problem--Max doesn't know what a mouse looks like! With a little bit of bad advice, Max finds himself facing a much bigger challenge. Maybe Max doesn't have to be Max the Brave all the time...

Join this adventurous black cat as he very politely asks a variety of animals for help in finding a mouse. Young readers will delight in Max's mistakes, while adults will love the subtle, tongue-in-cheek humor of this new children's classic.

About the author:

Ed Vere is an author, artist and illustrator with a long track record of success in the picture book category. Max the Brave was named one of TheSunday Times's 100 Modern Children's Classics. His book Bedtime for Monsters was shortlisted for the 2011 Roald Dahl Funny Prize and Mr Big was chosen by Booktrust as the official Booktime book for 2009 (and was distributed to 750,000 British schoolchildren making it the largest single print run for a picture book). Vere was the World Book Day illustrator for 2009.

The Max the Brave blog tour is finally kicking off! You will be able to read B and F's full review of Max the Brave on September 15th! Keep posted for pictures and perhaps even a BookTube video! We are also letting you know that there is a Rafflecopter contest that will be running from September 1 to October 31! We have included the link below. Good luck!

Rafflecopter link:

Blog Tour: The Awakened

Synopsis:
Zoey Valentine is concerned with two things: surviving the multitude of self-defense classes her dad
makes her take and avoiding Ash Matthews.

That is, until the Z virus hits, wiping out a third of the population in a matter of weeks. If that weren’t frightening enough, the bodies of the victims disappear and suddenly reappear, awakened from their dead state. They're faster, smarter, and they work together to get the one thing they crave, human flesh.

The United States is in a panic and then the government decides the unthinkable: to bomb every major city overrun with the awakened.

Now Zoey is on the run, with her dad and Ash, desperate to find a place of safety amongst the ruined remains of the country.


Author Bio:
Sara Elizabeth Santana is a young adult and new adult fiction writer. She has worked as a smoothie artist, Disneyland cast member, restaurant supervisor, nanny, photographer, pizza delivery driver and barista but writing is what she loves most. Her first story was written at age nine. She runs her own nerd girl/book review blog, What A Nerd Girl Says. Her favorite books are a tie between Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling and Trickster's Choice by Tamora Pierce. She lives in Southern California with her dad, five siblings and two dogs. Her debut novel is The Awakened.

You can also visit Sara Elizabeth Santana at:

Don't forget to check out The Awakened on GoodReads! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26847637-the-awakened

Purchasing The Awakened:
The Awakened can be purchased on Amazon! Just click the link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Awakened-Duology-Book-ebook/dp/B017AD8K9W.

If you preordered The Awakened on Kindle, you can receive a free SIGNED bookmark! If you purchased the book AFTER the release, you can still receive a free signed bookmark for ordering either the Kindle edition or the paperback. 

In order to claim your bookmark, you must message your proof of purchase/preorder and your name and address to: sesantanawrites@gmail.com 

Giveaway!
Rules:
This giveaway starts November 26nd and ends December 12th. 
All prizes will be shipped AFTER Christmas.
This giveaway is available internationally.

Prizes:
One Grand Prize Winner -Singed Copy of The Awakened
One First Place Winner - Signed Poster and Signed Bookmark
Two Second Place Winners - A Kindle Edition of The Awakened and a Signed Bookmark


The Book Tour

Check out the entire tour for more information about the book, interviews, guest

posts, excerpts and more!

November 26th: Reading and Reviews / What A Nerd Girl Says

November 27th:  Living Within Fiction

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth (Volume 1) by Judd Winick

26209632This Review was Written by: B and C
Received: Publisher
Publication Date of Book: September 2015
Pages: 193
Stars: 5/5

Official Summary:
Introducing HILO -- a funny, action-packed, full-color new middle-grade graphic novel series that Bone creator Jeff Smith calls "delightful."

D. J. and his friend Gina are totally normal kids.  But that was before a mysterious boy came crashing down from the sky!  Hilo doesn't know where he came from, or what he's doing on Earth.  (Or why going to school in only your underwear is a bad idea!) . . . But what if Hilo wasn't the only thing to fall to our planet?  Can the trio unlock the secrets of his past?  Can Hilo survive a day at school?  And are D. J. and Gina ready to save the world?

HILO is Calvin and Hobbes meets Big Nate and is just right for fans of Bone and comic books as well as laugh-out-loud school adventures like Jedi Academy and Wimpy Kid!

Our Thoughts:
HILO is hands down the most enjoyable middle grade graphic novel that we have ever read!  It's laugh out loud material dripping with adventure, friendship, and originality.  The entire time while reading it, we were chuckling and smiling to ourselves like there was no tomorrow, and this book is nothing short of "OUTSTANDING!"  The fast-paced tale will fly by, even though you'll desperately want it to last longer.  No one should pass up the chance to read this gem.

HILO is an extremely quirky character but in the best possible way, which includes silver underpants, robotic powers, and all.  There's something about him that's simply and undeniably lovable.  Perhaps it's his uncanny ability to love everything he encounters, even if it's just rice and milk.  Maybe it's his personality that so strongly takes charge, especially when his friends are in danger.  His uniqueness is obvious due to his creation and abilities.  D. J. on the other hand is a different kind of character.  He doesn't think he's special, even though everyone else in his family is.  They each dabble in something different, like ballet, tennis, and chemistry.  D. J. isn't like them, he thinks that he is utterly useless.  He isn't strong in any one area.  He considers himself "average," but what he doesn't understand is that no one can be defined as average.

Judd Winick does a fantastic job of showing his audience that people don't have to be able to fly, be a super genius, or human extraordinaire to be special.  Talents are great, and they define you, but everyone has their own talent, even if no one else sees it.  Everyday bravery, being a good friend, or caring about someone else can make you special.  If you look hard enough, even the ordinary can be extraordinary.  It's all about perspective, and no one is ever average.      

What's truly great about this series is that there are so many diverse characters who come from different ethnic backgrounds.  We love to see that there is a book like this out there in the world with a great message and a fabulous group of characters.  On top of that, we strongly believe that HILO has something for everyone.  There's no doubt in our minds that middle graders will eat this book up, and read it again and again, but at the same time, teens and adults can easily join in the fun.  Both C and I have read countless book forms, such as novels, graphic novels, manga, and comics.  We've also read for countless ages, like children, juvenile, MG, YA, and adult.  In all honesty, HILO has been one of our favorite books of the year.  (Hopefully that doesn't have to do with our maturity! . . . Um, that was a joke.)  We can easily imagine the whole family gathering around and reading the book together and enjoying it.  

So, if you're looking for a family book or just a darn good read with a mix of humor, adventure, camaraderie, and excellent, hilarious illustrations, look no further!  HILO is here, a series that is sure to be a hit!  The full-colored pages capture the eye and the imagination.  You just have to turn to the front page and start reading.


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Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Zack Delacruz: Me and My Big Mouth by Jeff Anderson

24612691This review was written by: F
Received: Publisher
Publication Date of Book: August 2015
Pages: 176
Stars: 4/5



Zack Delacruz: Me and My Big Mouth by Jeff Anderson is a middle school contemporary novel about a middle school student (Zack Delacruz) who is a quiet and shy individual. One day, he stands up for a classmate who is being bullied, and everyone is in shock. Zack’s timid personality is suddenly contradicted by this bold move, especially because he has always kept to himself. Later, Zack and his classmate, Jose Soto, are put in charge of selling chocolate bars to raise money for a dance.

Disaster strikes when one of Zack’s classmates named Janie Bustamante eats the entire box of candy bars instead of selling them. Zack eventually finds out that she has an obsession. He decides to help her by setting up a meeting with her and all of his classmates. Zack soon becomes a leader. Since Janie ate the candy and not enough money was raised for the dance, Zack decides to initiate a fundraiser. He and his friends have a car wash at Zack’s Dad’s workplace. Zack took matters into his own hands, and gains the respect of his Dad and teachers.


This book demonstrates how you can be a leader and a hero. It lets kids know that they can stand up for what they believe in and that not all heroes are always super human. Heroes can be ordinary people who do ordinary things. You should stand up for what you believe in because it shows others that you are not afraid of differing opinions. You should always do what you think is right and you should always help those who are being bullied.  


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Friday, December 18, 2015

Cover Reveal

Miranda’s Rights (Paranormal Detectives Book Two)
by Lily Luchesi

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27798885-miranda-s-rights

 The dead don’t always rest easy...
Retired detective Danny Mancini is haunted by nightmares after he found out that paranormal creatures exist. All he wants is to forget them…especially a certain half-vampire. When cursed werewolves show up trying to kill him, he is forced to go back to the Paranormal Investigative Division for help against a powerful old enemy. What he was not expecting was a dead ex showing back up after twenty-six years.

Coming on January 8th, 2016 from Vamptasy Publishing
Cover art by Rue Volley

~*~*~
Catch up on the first book in the Paranormal Detectives Series, Stake-Out.

25311692
 

In a city overrun with the undead, an ex-cop is given a chance to get revenge...

Danny Mancini is on a case, following a murder suspect. When he catches him, he finds out that the perp isn't even human: he's a 200 year old rogue vampire!
The department doesn't believe him, and puts him on early retirement, despite his many years of service to the Chicago Police Department, which sends him into a downward spiral.
Two years later, Danny gets an invitation from the beautiful, young and very attractive Detective Angelica Cross to join a secret branch of the FBI to help her track down Vincent, the wayward vamp.
But renegade werewolves, meddling immortal witches and Danny's strange visions of a life lived a century ago with Angelica make things more difficult than it should be.

~*~*~

About Lily:

Lily Luchesi is a young author/poet born in Chicago, Illinois, now residing in Los Angeles, California. Ever since she was a toddler her mother noticed her tendency for being interested in all things "dark". At two she became infatuated with vampires and ghosts, and that infatuation turned into a lifestyle by the time she was twelve, and, as her family has always been what they now call "Gothic", she doesn't believe she shall ever change. She is also a hopeless romantic and avid music-lover who will always associate vampires with love, blood, and rock and roll.
Her interest in poetry came around the same time as when she was given a book of Edgar Allan Poe's complete work. She then realized that she had been writing her own poetry since she could hold a pen, and just had not known the correct terms. She finished her first manuscript at the age of fourteen, and now, at twenty-one, has two contributing credits in anthologies and her debut novel, Stake-Out (Paranormal Detectives Series Book One), was published by Vamptasy Publishing on May 19th, 2015. Book two, Miranda's Rights, will be released on January 8th, 2016.
She has a short story, "Undead Ever After" in the Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly anthology Love Sucks (released on June 13th, 2015). Her first erotic short story, "Have No Fears", was published in the Hot Ink Press anthology Naughty Bedtime Stories: In Three Words on October 10th. She will also have a short erotic horror story, "The Devil's Dozen", in the upcoming Hot Ink Press anthology Death, Love, Lust, which will be released in February of 2016.

http://lilyluchesibooks.wix.com/lilyluchesi
http://www.amazon.com/Lily-Luchesi/e/B00GBFAE0E
http://twitter.com/LilyLuchesi
http://facebook.com/LilyLuchesi (page)
http://facebook.com/lilyluchesibooks (friend)
http://instagram.com/lilyluchesi
http://goodreads.com/author/show/7369101.Lily_Luchesi

Monday, December 14, 2015

Doctor Who: Royal Blood (The Glamour Chronicles #1) by Una McCormack

25614926

This review was written by: B
Received: Blogging for Books
Publication Date of Book: September 2015
Pages: 240 
Stars: 4.5/5

Official Summary (Paperback Edition)
"The Grail is a story.  A myth!  It didn't exist on your world!  It can't exist here!"

The city-state of Varuz is failing.  The capital is crumbling, and his enemies are poised to invade. Duke Aurelian is preparing to gamble everything on one last battle.  So when a holy man, the Doctor, comes to Varuz from beyond the mountains, Aurelian asks for his blessing in the war.

But all is not what it seems.  The city-guard have lasers for swords, and the halls are lit by electric candlelight.  Aurelian's wife and his trusted knight seem to be plotting to overthrow their Duke, and Clara finds herself drawn into their intrigue . . . 

Will the Doctor stop Aurelian from going to war? Will Clara's involvement in the plot be discovered? Why is the enemy's ambassador so nervous?  And who are the ancient and weary knights claiming to be on a quest for the Holy Grail . . . ?


My Thoughts:
Doctor Who is an amazing force that has swept into thousands of people's hearts worldwide.  To be honest, Doctor Who, in both its show and its novel mediums, is fairly new to me, but I have been curious about this adventurous, galaxy traveling man for some time.  One of my sisters has a deep love for this show and eventually convinced me to give it a try.  Now, I have seen several episodes but honestly wanted to try Doctor Who out in book form.  So . . . here I am!  Royal Blood seemed extremely fascinating because of its given premise and high-tech medieval atmosphere, and I decided to start here.  The setting and delicate details of Varuz were as breath-taking as they were despairing. Even though this majestic land was only words on a page, I felt as if I was witnessing Varuz's strange, warped city-state for myself right alongside the Doctor.  The idea alone of a decaying, ancient civilization riddled with advanced technology was enough to keep me going.

Una McCormack had a rich writing style that pleasantly surprised me.  The beginning of Royal Blood made me feel as if I was reading a poetic work, and McCormack clearly has the capability of taking on sentences as if they each have a beauty of their own.  On top of that, what really made this novel unique was the split narrative.  One moment I was reading in third person about Clara or the Doctor, and the next I was reading from the perspective of Bernhardt, a trusted friend and knight of Duke Aurelian.  I feel as though this gave the story a much needed element of diversity so that the audience was kept interested.  The length of this novel also worked as an advantage, even though it would have been nice if certain elements were slightly fleshed out in greater detail.  The short length is able to keep younger readers interested, while a slightly older audience will feel as if they still read a worthy story.   

As a newcomer to the Doctor Who world, I feel as though I have learned quite a bit.  The characters were fairly developed, and I love the relationship between Clara and the Doctor himself.  Hardcore fans of Doctor Who, especially the twelfth Doctor, are sure to devour this story while new ones will have the chance to fall in love with this crazy and clever duo for the first time.  Even if you're not a huge fan of this series, I would definitely give this book I try.  It unexpectedly exceeded all of my expectations, and left me desperately wanting to watch more of the television series!



Please note that I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

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