Wednesday 31 August 2016

Black Ice - Release Day Blitz

BlackIce (1)





Black Ice (Stark Springs #3) by Ali Dean
Release Day Blitz
August 31, 2016

BlackIce

When your enemy dies under strange circumstances? Don’t stop looking over your shoulder.
When secrets of a past scandal are plopped into your lap? Solve a mystery.
And when you’re a member of the National ski team? Don’t get distracted.

Roxie’s senior year at Stark Springs Academy is not what she envisioned. She never intended to be privy to Stark’s biggest secrets, but she’s thrown right into the middle of it, whether she wants to carry that burden or not. As Ryker Black’s girlfriend, nothing is simple or straightforward. A ski racer first and foremost, Roxie can’t let the ghosts of Stark Springs Academy distract her from the race course. 

Will she be able to pull it off?




~*~ABOUT ALI~*~
7237069

Ali Dean lives in Colorado with her husband, twin toddlers, and golden retriever. In addition to reading and writing, she loves the outdoors- everything from marathon training and biking to snowboarding and skiing.


Tuesday 30 August 2016

Teaser Tuesdays - Rampant

It seems this book has the proper goat-like unicorns among others.


"Any danger!" I cried. "What do you call hunting unicorns? Big, sharp horns; fangs..." And those were just the goat-sized ones.

(page 30, Rampant by Diana Peterfreund)


buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

===

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Monday 29 August 2016

Zom-B Bride - Book Review


Zom-B Bride (Zom-B #10)
by Darren Shan


What is it about:
B Smith has been rescued from the den of torture she’d been trapped in—but her savior is none other than the murderous maniac clown Mr. Dowling. He’s desperate to woo B and have her become his bride. He disgusts her, but B knows an opportunity when she sees one. Can she marry a monster if it means saving the world?

What did I think of it:
This series is still going strong ten books in.

It's clear we're working towards the end and B is in deep! She has to decide what to do and who to save. Will she make a deal with Mr. Dowling and his mutants, or will she try to get out?

I liked that the freaky babies from Zom-B Baby are back and that it's getting clearer what they are. There's not a lot of action in this book until the end, but the reveals and the action that is there make up for it.

I immediately grabbed for the next book once I finished this one, because there was another cliffhanger.

Why should you read it?
It's a awesome zombie series with mutant babies!


buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

Friday 26 August 2016

Angelfall - Book Review (repost)

This repost reminds me that I still need to read the last book in this trilogy... Bad piggy!


Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days #1)
by Susan Ee


What is it about:
It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.

Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.


What did I think of it:
Somehow this book managed to stay off my radar until recently people started talking about the upcoming sequel. (I blame Jess Haines for me picking up Angelfall btw ;-)

And let me say: Why didn't anyone tell me sooner how awesome this book is?

Because this is an amazingly cool read. Once I started on it I couldn't put it down and finished it in one afternoon. It's that addictive!

I will confess I hadn't expected that a book about angels could be this gritty. I thought it would be the umpteenth Dystopian read that doesn't really deliver, but instead it's a thrilling Post Apocalyptic tale filled with violence, darkness and danger.

I loved both Penryn and Raffe. The interaction between them was cool and believable (apart from one scene that made me want to slap Penryn for being a bit slow to grasp what was glaringly obvious). I kept rooting for them both to survive the perils they have to face.

The ending left me hungry for much, much more and I immediately preordered the next book so I can get my trotters on it as soon as it releases.

Why should you read it:
It's Post Apocalyptic Awesomness with angels.


Thursday 25 August 2016

On McPig's Radar - Oria's Gambit

Expect a review for this book soon.


Oria’s Gambit (Sorcerous Moons #2)
by Jeffe Kennedy


A Play For Power

Princess Oria has one chance to keep her word and stop her brother’s reign of terror: She must become queen. All she has to do is marry first. And marry Lonen, the barbarian king who defeated her city bare weeks ago, who can never join her in a marriage of minds, who can never even touch her—no matter how badly she wants him to.

A Fragile Bond

To rule is to suffer, but Lonen never thought his marriage would become a torment. Still, he’s a resourceful man. He can play the brute conqueror for Oria’s faceless officials and bide his time with his wife. And as he coaxes secrets from Oria, he may yet change their fate…

An Impossible Demand

With deception layering on deception, Lonen and Oria must claim the throne and brazen out the doubters. Failure means death— for them and their people.

But success might mean an alliance powerful beyond imagining...



Find buy links here


Wednesday 24 August 2016

Zom-B Family - Book Review


Zom-B Family (Zom-B #9)
by Darren Shan


What is it about:
Can anyone hurt you as much as a loved one?
When does the fight become too much to bear?
How much pain can one person endure?

B smith is discovering the true meaning of family...


What did I think of it:
Another cool addition to this series.

B is in serious trouble and has some very hard decisions to make in this book. There are some rather brutal scenes, and Shan isn't sparing the reader the details.

Once the story got going I kept reading until I finished the book. As all the other books it's fast paced and a quick, but cool, read.

There's one character who keeps getting more interesting and who hinted that some of my suspicions might be validated in a future book. I'm rooting for this character making it to the end of the series. He's too cool and complex to get rid of in my opinion. we'll see though, because the body count in this series is high.

The book ends with another cliffhanger, but I have the next book in this series in my TBR pile, so I'll be reading it soon.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool zombie series for younger teens.


buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

Tuesday 23 August 2016

Teaser Tuesdays - Pirateship Down

Today's teaser is from a reread.
I had this book as ebook, but needed to have the paperback to add to my collection. Because how often is there a book with a story that was written especially for your blog?!


I didn't even need to turn around. "It's a pig. I'm making him some French fries."
Seamus added in his grunting pigspeak"Wid ketchup."

(page 59, Pirateship Down - Alex, the Pig - by Suzanne Johnson)




buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

===

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Monday 22 August 2016

Earls Just Want to Have Fun - Book Review by Voodoo Bride


Earls Just Want to Have Fun (Covent Garden Cubs #1)
by Shana Galen


What is it about:
His heart may be the last thing she ever steals...

Marlowe is a pickpocket, a housebreaker-and a better actress than any professional on the stage. She runs with the Covent Garden Cubs, a gang of thieves living in the slums of London's Seven Dials. It's a fierce life, and Marlowe has a hard outer shell. But when she's alone, she allows herself to think of a time before-a dimly remembered life when she was called Elizabeth.

Maxwell, Lord Dane, is intrigued when his brother, a hired investigator, ropes him into his investigation of the fiercely beautiful hellion. He teaches her to navigate the social morass of the ton, but Marlowe will not escape so easily. Instead, Dane is drawn into her dangerous world, where the student becomes the teacher and love is the greatest risk of all.


What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This is a really fun Historical Romance.

I really like Galen's writing, it's engaging and funny. I was hooked from the start.

Maxwell and Marlowe make a great couple, I loved their interaction. There's instalust between them, but I liked that they didn't act on it right away, but instead were wary of each other. Their relationship developed in a believable pace as did the character growth of both. There was one romance scene that didn't work for me, but luckily there was plenty more to make up for it.

The action story line was cool, but as with any good romance you never fear things will get too desperate. It was there to create the setting for the romance and did its job well.

There were several interesting minor characters and I believe the next book will be about my two favorite minor characters, so you bet I'll get my hands on it eventually.

All in all a delightful Historical Romance.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun, well written Historical Romance


buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery


Friday 19 August 2016

Sons of Destiny - Book Review


Sons of Destiny (Cirque du Freak #12)
by Darren Shan


What is it about:
The stunning finale to the "New York Times" bestselling series brings Darren face-to-face with his archenemy, Steve Leopard. One of them will die. The other will become the Lord of the Shadows and destroy the world. Is the future written, or can Darren trick destiny?

What did I think of it:
So...

What to say about the last book in this series?

Let's try to keep it at "very enjoyable until the resolution", because if I start talking about the ending of this series, I'll be ranting for a while and drawing comparisons to Son of Rosemary by Ira Levin among others.

In short: Cool story up until the ending. It might be a personal pet peeve, but the ending so did not work for me.

All in all a bit of a let down after 12 mostly entertaining books.

I'm hoping Shan's other series don't end in similar ways.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun Vampire read for younger teens, and you might actually like the ending.


buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

Thursday 18 August 2016

Unbreakable by Liz Long - Release Day Blitz





 


UNBREAKABLEBANNER





Unbreakable (HoA #3)
Heroes of Arcania Trilogy
RELEASE DAY BLITZ
August 18th, 2016

30296890

True heroes refuse to be broken.
Nova started the fight against Fortune for simple revenge, but now it’s turned into something much bigger. Arcania’s criminals are at each other’s throats, putting the city right in the middle of a warzone. She’ll have to work with a few unlikely allies to end Fortune’s games once and for all. Nova thought she understood what it meant to be a superhero, but will she have to lose herself to truly defeat Fortune?

Fortune has given Cole a choice, one with unbearable consequences. When Cole takes matters into his own hands to save his sister Penelope, he realizes too late he’s another pawn in Fortune’s games. Fortune will use Cole’s gift against his enemies…including Nova. Cole will have to become the hero he always wanted to be if he’s going to protect the love of his life.

Nova and Cole could finally save Arcania from Fortune’s deadly games, but are they willing to sacrifice each other?

Haven’t Started the Series Yet?

HoA Trilogy Release Sale


~*~ABOUT LIZ~*~

12471331_1021016457957374_3649225354684299378_o
Liz Long is a proud graduate of Longwood University. Her inspiration comes from action and thriller genres and she spends entirely too much time watching superhero movies. Her day job includes writing for a magazine publisher in Roanoke, VA.

The Donovan Circus series has best been described as "X-Men meets the circus." Adult horror story Witch Hearts tells the tale of a serial killer hunting witches for their powers. New Adult PNR A Reaper Made is about a teen Reaper who gets caught between falling in love or saving her sister's soul. All titles are available for paperback or ebook on Amazon.

To learn more about Liz (including more information on her books, plus writing, marketing, and social media tips), visit her website: http://lizclong.com.


Want to Meet Liz?

HoA Book Signing Flyer

Tuesday 16 August 2016

Teaser Tuesdays - Earls Just Want to Have Fun

This is a really fun read so far.


He gave her a slow smile. "Now you've done it."
Oh, this ought to be thoroughly diverting.

(page 98, Earls Just Want to Have Fun by Shana Galen)


buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

===

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Monday 15 August 2016

The High Ground - Book Review


The High Ground (Imperials #1)
by Melinda M. Snodgrass


What is it about:
Emperor’s daughter Mercedes is the first woman ever admitted to the High Ground, the elite training academy of the Solar League’s Star Command, and she must graduate if she is to have any hope of taking the throne. Her classmate Tracy has more modest goals — to rise to the rank of captain, and win fame and honor. But a civil war is coming and the political machinations of those who yearn for power threaten the young cadets. In a time of intrigue and alien invasion, they will be tested as they never thought possible.

What is it about:
I came across the blurb of this book when Jeffe Kennedy went to a signing where Melinda Snodgrass would be as well. I was very intrigued and Jeffe being as awesome as she is, got me a signed copy.

And I can tell you this book not only delivered on the promise given in that blurb, it's even better than I hoped!

Mercedes is a strong, determined young woman. She wants to show everyone she is capable not only of succeeding at The High Ground, but of leading the empire. Lots of people want to see her fail, others want to get close to her because of what she is instead of who she is.

All Tracy ever wanted is to become more than a tailor like his father. He never wanted to become a soldier, but circumstances force him to take the free scholarship to the High Ground. Being one of only a few 'charity cases' he's having a hard time.

I loved the writing, the world building and the setting (you might know by now I have a soft spot for boarding school stories). I liked Tracy from the start, and soon fell in love with Mercedes as well. There were a couple of other characters that I was rooting for as well, and some I totally loathed. The interaction between the students was cool to read and felt real. Especially the friendship/romance/something between Mercedes and Tracy developed in a very believable if at times frustrating way.

The story focused on the training and how Tracy and Mercedes handle their new life at The High Ground at first, but later in the book there are some really exciting developments and the speed of the story kicked up considerably, making it impossible to put the book down.

And the ending! I need to know what will happen next!

All in all this book was totally amazing and you bet I'll be getting my grabby trotter on book two when it releases next year.

Why should you read it:
It's a totally awesome SF read.


buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery



Friday 12 August 2016

The Emperor's Arrow - Book Review


The Emperor's Arrow
by Lauren D.M. Smith


What is it about:
The bride candidates have been summoned. Their numbers are many, yet only one is an Amazzi warrior. Only one would give her life to protect him.

Evony of Aureline, warrior of her people, has no intention of becoming a hideous old man's bride. Though her people have sworn their loyalty to the legendary emperor Galen, Evony knows little of courts and intrigue. It's simply not her world.

Yet it's on the palace training grounds where Evony's archery skills gain her the respect of soldiers and legates alike. The emperor himself takes notice of the beautiful, ruthless warrior. In turn, the young, steely eyed Galen is nothing at all what Evony expected.

This man could very well conquer her heart. But does he feel the same?

As the rivalry among the remaining bride candidates intensifies and the plot for the throne unfolds, Evony must make a grave choice: fulfill her destiny and protect her people or follow her heart and pursue true love.

Either way, the honor of the Amazzi people and the future of the empire now rests with Evony of Aureline. For she is the Emperor's Arrow.


What did I think of it:
I will confess: I fell in love with the cover of this book.

The story sounded cool as well though, so I got my grabby trotters on it even though it wasn't available in print.

And this is a very entertaining read.

I must say the set up reminded me of both Miss Congeniality and The Selection, but that certainly wasn't a bad thing.

The bride selection process wasn't used to its full potential I think, I would have loved to read more about that part of the story, but the events that the story did focus on made up for it.

I liked Evony and loved her interactions with Galen and the other people at the palace. The romance developed at a pleasant pace, although the romance conflict was handled a bit too easily I think. I wanted a bit more fire to that. Still, the romance was very satisfying.

As for the overall story I will confess I was suspecting all the wrong people of all the wrong things. This had probably more to do with how I think than with the writing though. My suspicions aside I had lots of fun with this book, and would most certainly read more by this author if the story appeals to me.

Why should you read it:

It's a fun Fantasy read.


Find buy links here

Thursday 11 August 2016

On McPig's Wishlist - The Bane


The Bane (The Eden Trilogy #1)
by Keary Taylor


Before the Evolution there was TorBane: technology that infused human DNA with cybernetic matter. It had the ability to grow new organs and limbs, to heal the world. Until it evolved out of control and spread like the common cold. The machine took over, the soul vanished, and the Bane were born. The Bane won't stop until every last person has been infected. With less than two percent of the human population left, mankind is on the brink of extinction.

Eve knows the stories of the Evolution, the time before she wandered into the colony of Eden, unable to recall anything but her name. But she doesn't need memories to know this world is her reality. This is a world that is quickly losing its humanity, one Bane at a time.

Fighting to keep one of the last remaining human colonies alive, Eve finds herself torn between her dedication to the colony, and the discovery of love. There is Avian and West – one a soldier, one a keeper of secrets. And in the end, Eve will make a choice that will change the future of mankind.

The Bane is The Terminator meets The Walking Dead with a heart-twisting romance.

Previously published as Eden, due to reader demand it has been revamped and rereleased as The Bane: book one in The Eden Trilogy.



buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

Wednesday 10 August 2016

Twelve Kingdoms/Uncharted Realms Giveaway

So I told you there would be a giveaway because Jeffe Kennedy is awesome.

Here it is!


Jeffe provided me with signed copies of both The Talon of The Hawk and The Pages of the Mind.
She also sent me bookmarks and cover flats of her next Uncharted Realms book The Edge of the Blade.

The total fanpiggy in me wants to hoard all of these goodies for myself, but giving them away has a higher chance of other people reading and falling in love with Jeffe's books, which might lead to more sales for Jeffe, so she'll continue writing, which in turn leads to more books for me to read, so a giveaway it is! (Yes, I'm mercenary even in my giveaways ;-)

Anyway...

So one reader of my blog will win:
- Signed copy of The Talon of the Hawk
- Signed copy of The Pages of the Mind
- a couple of bookmarks of The Pages of the Mind (and probably some Pearls Cast Before a McPig bookmarks)
- cover flat of The Edge of the Blade

I might randomly pick some other people who'll win just bookmarks as well.

Rules:
- Leave a comment telling me if you read one of Jeffe's books, or if you haven't, tell me about a book you love so much you would want to hoard all available copies if you could (or is that just me?).
- Leave a way for me to contact you
- Do so before August 20, 2016.
- A winner will be randomly selected soon after and contacted.

Open internationally to everyone who's legally allowed to enter.

Winner is - Bube

----------------

*Pearls Cast Before a McPig and Jeffe Kennedy are both not responsible for any packages that might get lost in the mail*


Tuesday 9 August 2016

Teaser Tuesdays - The High Ground

This starts out really good.


Mercedes felt a spasm of guilt and sadness that she had ruined something pretty because of one petulant act.
Was she about to ruin the League too because of one petulant act?

(page 31, The High Ground by Melinda Snodgrass)

buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

===

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Monday 8 August 2016

TBR Orphans - Update


As you may have noticed I've taken an unscheduled blogging break last week.

I've been glued to my Xbox and Dragon Age Inquisition lately, so did not get a lot of reading done. Still I manged to read 2 Orphans (sort of) in Juli. I received the Vampire Destiny Omnibus in March and read two of the three books in the omnibus in July. As I'm reviewing them separately I think that counts as two Orphans.

To make up for my sloppy posting last week, there'll be a giveaway later this week. Well, to be honest - the giveaway is because Jeffe Kennedy is awesome, but more on that later this week.

Tuesday 2 August 2016

UNITED Launch Blitz & Giveaway


Hey there, booklovers!

I’m author Melissa Landers, and I’m thrilled to announce the release of UNITED, the final book in the Alienated trilogy. Our star-crossed lovers Aelyx and Cara have overcome some heavy obstacles to be together—riotous mobs, alien hybrids, and worst of all, high school on two planets. Now to stay together they’ll have to unite their people against a common enemy, a threat more deadly than they ever imagined. (NBD, right?) I’ve written an ending to this trilogy that makes my heart happy, and I hope you’ll love the conclusion as much as I do!



What do reviewers have to say about the series?

“The author’s storyline is out of this world.” –VOYA on Alienated

“The unusual plot and world building are ingenious.” –Library Media Connection on Alienated

“If [the third novel] is as entertaining as this tale, it can’t come soon enough.” –Kirkus Reviews on Invaded

“A fun genre-blending series that will only gain traction as it continues.” –Booklist on Invaded

If you love hot aliens, snarky humans, and wild sci-fi adventure, make sure to pick up a copy of UNITED today. It’s now available in stores and online.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/25XrSct
iBooks: http://apple.co/1sGfH1Z
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1tqvT7u
Book Depository (free international shipping): http://bit.ly/1XpeAjN
Indie Bound: http://bit.ly/1Uc75wb


To celebrate my book birthday, I’m offering one lucky winner a set of all 3 mini-posters in the Alienated series—signed by me! The giveaway is open internationally.

Best of luck, and happy reading!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Melissa Landers is a former teacher who left the classroom to pursue other worlds. A proud sci-fi geek, she isn’t afraid to wear her Princess Leia costume in public—just ask her husband and three kids. She lives outside Cincinnati in the small town of Loveland, “Sweetheart of Ohio.” For more information or just to say hello, visit www.melissa-landers.com.


Monday 1 August 2016

The Ninja's Daughter - Releasing Tomorrow!



The Ninja's Daughter (Shinobi Mystery #4)
by Susan Spann


Autumn, 1565: When an actor's daughter is murdered on the banks of Kyoto's Kamo River, master ninja Hiro Hattori and Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo are the victim's only hope for justice.

As political tensions rise in the wake of the shogun's recent death, and rival warlords threaten war, the Kyoto police forbid an investigation of the killing, to keep the peace--but Hiro has a personal connection to the girl, and must avenge her. The secret investigation leads Hiro and Father Mateo deep into the exclusive world of Kyoto's theater guilds, where they quickly learn that nothing, and no one, is as it seems. With only a mysterious golden coin to guide them, the investigators uncover a forbidden love affair, a missing mask, and a dangerous link to corruption within the Kyoto police department that leaves Hiro and Father Mateo running for their lives.



buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

Buy from Amazon