Review & Kindle Giveaway ~ Ratgirl

Title: RATGIRL: Song of the Viper
Author: Gayle C. Krause
Publication date: January, 2014
Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old streetwise orphan, Jax Stone is an expert at surviving in a dangerous city, where rats rival the homeless for food and shelter, but she’s an amateur at fighting the immoral mayor when he kidnaps her little brother. Desperation demands she quickly master the role of courageous opponent. She uses her hypnotic singing voice to lead rats to their death, and all the children to safety, in a dying city cursed by the deadly sun.

*  Goodreads  *  Amazon US  *  Amazon UK  *  Barnes and Noble  * 

~ Review ~

A dystopian re-telling of the pied piper, this book is definitely one that I will remember. I had only glanced at the blurb when looking at this book so had no idea what to expect, but the cover completely drew me in. The world depicted is destitute and deprived, with the poor barely surviving whilst the rich live a gluttonous life of luxury. There are rats everywhere, and slowly Jax realises that they stop and listen whenever she is singing. When the children are kidnapped and the mayor requests an exterminator to rid him of the rat problem, everyone comes together in an attepmt to escape to be better life.

I have no idea if the author is carrying on the story, or if this is a stand-alone novel but I would love to see more. All the characters have their place, and I became attached to them as the story unfolded. The sense of loyalty and family comes across strongly, and it really felt like they would do anything for each other in order to survive. I was completely captivated by this story, and stayed up way past my bedtime just to read another chapter or two. I would highly recommend this as one to read.

AUTHOR BIO 

Gayle C. Krause is a member of SCBWI, YALITCHAT and The Cliffhouse YA Wonderwriters.She writes across the genres. Her first publication credit was a short story in Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul 2 (2006). The Storyteller’s Daughter, her YA historical short story, was featured in Timeless, A YA Historical Romance anthology from Pugalicious Press (2012).Her new YA novel, RATGIRL: Song of the Viper was published in February 2013 (Noble Young Adult).

During the course of her writing career Ms. Krause has served as assistant editor for Underneath the Juniper Tree, a dark fantasy online magazine developed for young teens, a children’s book reviewer for Children’s Literature .com and she offers a critique service for children’s writers at First Peek Critique. (www.gayleckrause.com)

She also runs a blog that encourages new children’s writers through contests, book reviews and author interviews. http://thestorytellersscroll.blogspot.com.

*  Blog  * Twitter  * Goodreads  *  

~ Giveaway (Open Intl) ~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour ~ The Fountain of the Earth ~ H.L. Le Roy

Title: The Fountain of the Earth

Author: H.L. Le Roy

Series: The Fountain of the Earth

Genre: YA Dystopian

Publisher: Tranquille Press

Release Date: Nov 22 2013

Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Paperback

~ Blurb/Synopsis ~ 

The first in a planned series, The Fountain of the Earth is set on the West Coast following a catastrophic solar flare that has destroyed civilization, leaving only a few people struggling to survive. After witnessing the vicious murder of her mother, Terra Vonn (15) has a singular focus—exacting revenge on the killers. But before she can complete her plans, savagery intervenes and she is cast alone into a brutal post-apocalyptic world. As she trails the men south through a land filled with cannibalistic criminals, slave traders, and lunatics, the hunter becomes the hunted. Terra quickly learns that she is neither as tough nor as brave as she thinks she is. Worse, she may be the only one who stands between what little remains of civilization and destruction.

Tag Line

 Terra Vonn is fighting to survive in a destroyed world,

Surrounded by unspeakable horror . . .

And things are about to get much worse.

Book Links

Amazon

Goodreads

~ Review ~

YA adventure, with a subtle hint of dystopian, this book was slightly outside my normal genres but I thoroughly enjoyed reading it from start to finish.  At the start, all 15 year old Terra has to worry about is who might bid on her at her clan’s wedding party, but soon her whole world is ripped apart following the death of her dad and watching her mum being murdered.  By the end of the story, she has grown into a strong female leader that would do anything for the friends she has met along her travels, and will fight to ensure their survival.      

This book has a bit of everything including action, adventure, love, loyalty, friends and family.  There is plenty of death and destruction, but it’s written in such a way that it wasn’t gruesome or disturbing to read and would be perfect for younger readers as well as adults.  The best part for me was watching the various relationships grow and seeing Terra find her true self.  There is so much more to come from this story, and I can’t wait to see where events are going to lead Terra to next.

~ Author Info ~ 

H. L. (Holly) LeRoy is an American short story writer and novelist, author of the award winning Street Crimes anthology and the novel The Fountain of the Earth (Nov. 22, 2013), first in a series of young adult adventures. Born in San Jose, California, LeRoy currently resides in Pioneer, California with his family.

Author Links

Blog ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter

Dawn of the Apocalypse Blog Tour incl. Giveaway

What's better to celebrate the New Year than the end of the world? 'Tis the Season of the Apocalypse is a week long blitz and review tour with awesome prizes, interviews, guest posts, and more!

The tour will also have a two-week long giveaway, where winners can get a signed paperback copy of Dawn of the Apocalypse and $10 Amazon cash. All tour hosts will get a free ebook copy of Dawn of the Apocalypse, along with the chance to win an autographed copy of Dawn of the Apocalypse and a $5 Amazon gift card!

 SO hurry up and enter, before it's too late!

 

 

Dawn of the Apocalypse by E.S.P.

Published: August 8, 2013

Publisher: Mind Candy LLC

Amazon 

January 1, 2000. May 21, 2011. December 21, 2012 These are just a few of the days humans prophesied as bringing catastrophic events that would end the world. We predicted nuclear warfare. Drastic climate change. A call from God. We were wrong. Cue the gargoyle invasion—laboratory bred mutants designed to slaughter humans. When the government goes AWOL and gargoyles are swarming by the hundreds, it's up to the citizens of the United States to regroup and save themselves. Meet Cliff Matthews, a teenage boy separated from his entire family with the exception of his younger sister, whom he is desperate to keep alive. Along the quest to save their lives, he encounters people who aren't all that they seem. Everyday's a battle, but if he can't trust his own species, where does that leave his family? And we can't forget the man who may be willing to sacrifice Cliff's life, if it means world domination. In terms of doomsday, no one could've seen this coming.

Excerpt!

Angel’s chest was rising and falling rapidly as the gargoyles circled them silently. Hunter had never wanted something more in her entire life than to live for another day. She couldn’t even entertain the idea of little Angel being gobbled up by the big bad gargoyle…

 She squeezed her eyes shut. Please, please, please, she chanted silently over and over.

She knew the type of wound a scratch had given Cliff. What type of pain would they concur on her entire body? Would they eat her right away or save her for dinner? Would they pluck out her limbs and eat them one by one?

Time stopped as the door creaked open. The gargoyles soundlessly cloaked themselves back in the shadows. The stairs groaned as someone walked down the stairs without a care in the world. Hunter could practically hear the gargoyles lick their lips.

She wanted to cry out and warn the person. But it was beyond her control. That’s what you get for walking down the stairs so loudly. That’s what you get for walking in the dark during a damn invasion, she reasoned. But her heart was saying something else.

The person reached the bottom of the stairs. The gargoyles uniformly shifted through the shadows. “Hey…” he said suspiciously.

He had realized his danger a second too late. He broke into a run, but the gargoyles would be on him in a second. And he’d be dead.

“C’mon, sweetie.” Hunter whispered to Angel, crawling out from under the stairs. Ignoring the cries of agony, pain, and sorrow, she raced up the stairs. The wood banged against her ankles, but she didn’t stop. There was the cruel sound of cracking. Hunter shielded Angel’s eyes from the scene and dared to look behind her.

The gargoyles were circled around the man. The predominantly bigger gargoyle bit his neck. A gush of blood spewed across its face. The man’s eyes still stared at her, his mouth formed in an O, as if he was trying to speak to her.

“I’m so sorry.” She choked.

She hurried up the steps, slamming her body into the door. The light washed over her body, as did her relief. But her nerves did not settle.

Enter the Giveaway (US only)!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway 

About the Author:

 Being the daughter of an accomplished author, E.S.P. grew up listening to stories and telling her own to classmates. After writing for several years and even publishing some short works, she finally decided to take the plunge to write (plus finish!)a full length novel. Thus, Dawn of the Apocalypse was born. When she's not writing, she's either reading books, blogging at whoistheserialreader.blogspot.com, or watching eighties movies. 

Follow E.S.P. on her blog

 

 

Join the Discussion!

"Move over zombie apocalypses, the gargoyles are taking over. " Unabridged Bookshelf Book Blog

"Dawn Of The Apocalypse is a novel full of grit, action, blood and never forgetting the gargoyles...you should get your hands on this one!" Emily at Fluttereal Flight Blog

 

Review ~ Because The Night by Kristen Strassel

Title: Because the Night

Author: Kristen Strassel

Series: Night Song’s Collection Series (#1)

Genre: NA Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Foreword Literary

Release Date: Nov 5 2013

Edition/Formats It Will Be Available In: eBook & Print

~ Blurb ~ 

Immortal Dilemma is the hottest band in the Las Vegas vampire rock scene. They draw insatiable fans from around the globe, thanks to a supernatural attraction called Bloodlust. Tristan craved such an opportunity to fill his empty mortal life, and now he has eternity to earn his place along the legends of rock n roll debauchery.

Callie always feared that Tristan’s excesses would get him into trouble, but she never thought they’d lead him to immortality. To reconnect with him, she must weave her way through a world not only she had no idea existed, but does not welcome her.

Blade turned down a spot in Immortal Dilemma after learning what he must sacrifice for that lifestyle. He finds Callie a refreshing change from the girls in the vampire rock scene. When Callie drags Blade back into the world of Immortal Dilemma, his resistance drives her into the waiting arms of Tristan, who shows her the true meaning of Bloodlust.

But the very things that Callie fights so hard to save are the very things that fight to destroy her.

~ Review ~ 

All I can say is wow, I’m not sure any words could do this book justice.  Yes, there’s a vampire love story, but throw in the sex, blood & rock n’ roll and it transforms it into darker, gripping read. 

By the end of the book I loved all the main characters, though Tristen did take a little longer to warm up to.  Callie has no idea what she is truly getting herself into during her vacation, but one thing leads to another and she finds herself in love with one guy but drawn to another.  Naïve and blinded by bloodlust, her world spirals out of control and becomes something completely different.           

Literally, from start to finish, I couldn’t stop turning the pages and was up late into the night just to read a few more chapters.  Nothing was predictable, and the very last few sentences couldn’t have been more shocking – now I’m desperate for the next book in the series.     

Book Links

* Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Smashwords * Goodreads * 

Author Information

Kristen shares a birthday with Steven Tyler and Diana Ross.  She spends each day striving to be half as fabulous as they are.  She’s worn many hats, none as flattering as her cowboy hat: banker, retail manager, fledgling web designer, world’s worst cocktail waitress, panty slinger, now makeup artist and aspiring author.  She loves sunshine, live music, the middle of nowhere, and finding new things to put in her house.  Kristen is represented by Pam van Hylckama Vlieg of Foreword Literary.

Author Links

* Blog * Facebook ~ Deadly Ever After Dark * Twitter * 

Excerpt

Blade played tour guide by telling my all the goofy and outrageous things he knew about each place he considered a landmark.  On every corner of the Strip, clusters of men and women handed out business cards.  Blade walked right up to one of the men giving them out and took some.  I took one from the lady next to him to be polite.  I dropped the card on the ground, already littered with them, as soon as I realized what it was.

Business cards for prostitutes.

“Callie, you’ve got to take the cards!  Come on!”  Blade teased.

“It’s gross.”

“It’s funny. Take some next time, you’ll see.”

By the time we arrived at the Bellagio, we each had a thick stack of cards.  We sat on the stone fence near the pool in front of the hotel.  Blade laid out his cards between us as if he intended to read my fortune with them.

“See, we have two Danielles here.  She’s only forty nine dollars for the night.  And here’s Ashley.  She’s ninety nine dollars.  Clearly, Danielle is the better deal. What do you have?  Did you get these girls?”  Blade motioned to my pile, which was nowhere near as organized as his. I picked it up and thumbed through it.

Danielle. Check. Ashley. Check. I looked over at the cards he had displayed. I caught on to his game.  “Do you have a Jennifer?”

Blade surveyed his pile.  “Hmm. What is she charging?”

“Thirty nine dollars.”

“That cheap whore!” He laughed.  “Nope, I don’t have Jennifer.  But I do have Anna and Alyssa, who are on special, two for one twenty nine.  Clearly a quality team.  I will trade you these fine ladies for your cheap nasty Jennifer.”  We swapped cards.

I shuffled them back in order, just as a spray of water shot from the middle of the fountain. Music filled the air, and the water began to move and dance in time with a Frank Sinatra song.  Its simplicity was magical.

The show ended and a fine mist of water fell over us, coating my skin. Through the mist, Blade looked soft focused, and his smile made my stomach clench.

I quickly focused my gaze back on our little game.  Now I was getting into it, thumbing through my cards looking for a good one to trade. I didn’t know if it was possible to win this game, but I still wanted to prove myself a worthy opponent.

I came across Black Dahlia, asking one forty nine a bite.  “Really, a vampire hooker? Are they everywhere?”

“In this city, if there’s money to be made off of it, yes.”

“I’m tired of this vampire thing already.” Was I the only one who didn’t believe it?

Blade laughed.  “Yeah, me too.  That didn’t take you long. So you didn’t come here to see Immortal Dilemma?”

My breath caught in my throat. I didn’t think this was the time to tell him about my connection to Tristan. “Well, we checked it out last night, actually.”

Blade shook his head in disgust.  “Don’t waste your time on that crap.”