Top Pearls 2015 - Continuing Awesomeness and Stand Alone Awesomeness

And today the rest of my 2015 Pearls.

Today I highlight the authors who continue to write awesome books. Most of these have been on my Top Pearls list before in previous years.

I will also list two books by new to me authors that blew me away this year.


Continuing Awesomeness:


Dana Cameron
This year I read Hellbender, the third book in the really cool Fangborn series, and the first two books in Cameron's Emma Fielding series. The Emma Fielding series is very different, but just as cool as the Fangborn series, I must say. I have the next 3 books in my TBR pile.


Gini Koch
I can't believe there are already twelve books in the Katherine 'Kitty' Katt series. I've read both books that released this year, and I'm still loving this series.


Jeffe Kennedy
Fantasy, BDSM Romance, Erotic Paranormal Suspense: Jeffe Kennedy has all of them covered, and well! I haven't come across a book by Jeffe that I didn't love. Next to the books pictured here I also read Master of the Opera, and a few novellas as well.


Laura Bickle
I read both new books by Laura Bickle this year. The Dark Alchemy series is dark and totally awesome.


Linda Poitevin
I loved the first two books of the Grigory Legacy, so I was over the moon when the last two books became available in print this year. I read both and they were beautiful!


Stand Alone Awesomeness:


The Best of All Possible Worlds by Karen Lord
I won this book in a giveaway and was totally blown away by how beautiful it was. I'm even reluctant to pick up the sequel, because I don't want anything to spoil this story.


Last Flight by Liane Merciel
Yes, I'm totally cheating here. Last Flight is part of the Dragon Age world, and I got addicted to the Dragon Age games, and world this year. So technically it's not a Stand Alone. Still I think this book deserves a mention, because it's the book that was the most emotional read for me this year. It's beautiful and sad.



Check back tomorrow for a giveaway!

Sins of the Warrior - Book Review

Sins of the Warrior (Grigori Legacy #4)
by Linda Poitevin

What is it about:
Heaven and Hell are at war

The clock is ticking

Homicide detective Alexandra Jarvis’s niece is missing and pregnant with Lucifer’s child, her sister has descended into madness, and the human race has begun a relentless spiral toward self-destruction that Alex is desperate to stop. Now Michael, the Archangel she holds responsible for Earth’s plight, has returned—and he’s demanding her help to track a missing god.

Heaven is losing

Fighting for the very survival of his own realm—and that of humanity—Michael’s only chance to defeat Hell lies in returning Heaven’s long-lost daughter to her throne before it’s too late. But first he’ll have to convince Alex to help him—and to keep her out of Seth’s clutches long enough for her to do so.

There can be no right choices

In a desperate bid to save both their worlds, Alex and Michael must put aside their animosity and find a way to work together in the face of increasingly impossible decisions…and unimaginable sacrifices.

What did I think of it:
This is an awesome conclusion to an amazing series.

Some things happened in the previous book that devastated me. I will confess I wasn't sure if I could bring up the energy to root for Alex and those who are close to her. But I was wrong. Soon after starting this book I was invested again and I couldn't put it down.

My favorite character was gone, but Poitevin made me care for those who were left. Alex and Michael have to fight impossible odds. At times things seemed hopeless, but still they struggled on.

All in all this is a dark and grim story with small sparks of hope and humanity to keep Alex and the reader going. The conclusion is very satisfying in my opinion, and I will most certainly reread this series in the future.

Why should you read it:
It's an amazing UF/Paranormal read.

Sins of the Lost - Book Review

Sins of the Lost (Grigori Legacy #3)
by Linda Poitevin

What is it about:
Heaven and Hell are on the brink of war as Lucifer builds his Nephilim army and waits for his new agenda to become a reality — that of having a Nephilimchild of his own bloodline to lead his forces to cataclysmic victory.

With rumors of the pending war rampant on Earth, Alex fights to save humanity from its own panic –­ leaving little time for her fledgling
relationship with Seth, the man with heavenly origins who has captured her heart. But when Nephilim children begin to disappear, along with Alex’s own vulnerable niece, the inevitable war between Heaven and Hell becomes as personal as sin.

Heaven has its own plans to fight the coming apocalypse, but first it needs Seth back. Asked to betray the man she loves, Alex must turn for help to the soulmate she thought she’d given up — the Archangel Aramael, who may be her last chance to save her family and humanity from the ashes of Lucifer’s Armageddon.


What did I think of it:
I read the first two books in this series back in 2012. This book released in 2013 as ebook only, and because I'm not too fond of ebooks, this book remained unread until it finally released in print recently.

And I really should set aside my ebook dislike more often.

This is an amazing read.

I really disliked Seth in book 2, and I didn't warm up to him in this one. Still I can understand why Alex made the choices she did, and why she is having difficulties with the choices she has to make in this book. I rooted for her to find the solution that would be best for her, not to make the choice I would have made.

That's the strength of Poitevin's writing I think: Even when characters do things that I do not agree with, even when events don't go like I want them to, I stay invested in the story. I might not like where the story is taking me, but I still love the ride and want to know what's next.

And believe me: Things happen in this book that had me shocked!

The ending (although not a direct cliffhanger ending) is dire and has me hungry for the next book. Luckily that one also released recently in print, and I already have it in my TBR pile.

Why should you read it:
It's an amazing UF read.

Grigory Legacy Scavenger Hunt

Didn't win my Grigory Legacy giveaway?
Then this is the scavenger hunt for you!

Join in the fun and visit all participating blogs to find all the secret words that form a sentence that could win you a fabulous prize!

Read this post and find the secret word (which might be hidden in the text or a picture). Hint: it has a nice orange color. Visit the other blogs listed in the schedule, find all words, put them in the right order (see the schedule for which clue/word fits where), and enter the rafflecopter giveaway!

Don't feel like hunting all over the place, or can't find the secret word? No problem: you can also enter the giveaway without joining the scavenger hunt. Those who do find all the words just get more entries in the giveaway.

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AUTHOR BIO

Linda Poitevin is the author of the dark urban fantasy series, The Grigori Legacy, from Ace/Roc Books. Linda lives near Ottawa, Canada’s capital, and in her other life is wife, mother, friend, gardener, coffee snob, freelance writer, and zookeeper of too many pets. When she isn’t writing, Linda can usually be found in her garden or walking her dog along the river or through the woods.

Author links: Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter /


BOOK INFO

The Grigori Legacy: Goodreads / Amazon / B&N


Book 1: SINS OF THE ANGELS

SYNOPSIS: A detective with a secret lineage. An undercover Hunter with a bullet-proof soul. And a world made to pay for the sins of an angel...

Homicide detective Alexandra Jarvis answers to no one. Especially not to the new partner assigned to her in the middle of a gruesome serial killer case-a partner who is obstructive, irritatingly magnetic, and arrogant as hell. Aramael is a Power--a hunter of the Fallen Angels. A millennium ago, he sentenced his own brother to eternal exile for crimes against humanity. Now his brother is back and wreaking murderous havoc in the mortal realm. To find him, Aramael must play second to a human police officer who wants nothing to do with him and whose very bloodline threatens both his mission and his soul.

Now, faced with a fallen angel hell-bent on triggering the apocalypse, Alex and Aramael have no choice but to join forces, because only together can they stop the end of days.

Sins of the Angels book links: Goodreads / Amazon / B&N


Book 2: SINS OF THE SON

SYNOPSIS: When homicide detective Alexandra Jarvis sees a photo of Seth Benjamin on a police bulletin, she knows that Heaven's plan to halt Armageddon has gone terribly wrong. As the only mortal who knows of Seth's true nature, only she can save him. Aramael was a hunter of Fallen Angels until a traitor forced him into earthly exile. Now, with no powers and only a faint memory of Alex, his mortal soulmate, he will stop at nothing to redeem himself-even if it means destroying Seth in the name of the Creator...

Sins of the Son book links: Goodreads / Amazon / B&N


Book 3: SINS OF THE LOST

SYNOPSIS: Heaven and Hell are on the brink of war as Lucifer builds his Nephilim army and waits for his new agenda to become a reality — that of having a Nephilimchild of his own bloodline to lead his forces to cataclysmic victory.

With rumors of the pending war rampant on Earth, Alex fights to save humanity from its own panic –­ leaving little time for her fledgling
relationship with Seth, the man with heavenly origins who has captured her heart. But when Nephilim children begin to disappear, along with Alex’s own vulnerable niece, the inevitable war between Heaven and Hell becomes as personal as sin.

Heaven has its own plans to fight the coming apocalypse, but first it needs Seth back. Asked to betray the man she loves, Alex must turn for help to the soulmate she thought she’d given up — the Archangel Aramael, who may be her last chance to save her family and humanity from the ashes of Lucifer’s Armageddon.

Sins of the Lost book links: Goodreads / Amazon / B&N


SCAVENGER HUNT SCHEDULE:

Clue #1: Pearls Cast Before A McPig
Clue #2: Romancing The Darkside
Clue #3: I Smell Sheep
Clue #4: Kelsey's Cluttered Bookshelf
Clue #5: Book Mood Reviews
Clue #6: Bea's Book Nook
Clue #7: The Demon Librarian

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Grigori Legacy - Giveaway

Today I have a giveaway for you!

One reader of my blog will win a copy of Sins of the Angels or Sins of the Son by Linda Poitevin

For those of you unfamiliar with this series:
The Grigori Legacy series is nail-bitingly good. It's full of suspense, heartbreaking romance, and thrilling action.

Be sure to click the links in this post to go to my reviews and to take a look at Linda's website, where you can find info and buy links.



Now for some rules:
- Leave a comment telling me which book you would want to win
- Leave a way for me to contact you
- Do so before April 6th 2014, I will pick a winner soon after.

Open to everyone who's old enough to read these books, legally allowed to enter this giveaway, and who lives somewhere the bookdepository ships to.

An Interview with Linda Poitevin + Giveaway

Today I bring you an interview with Linda Poitevin, author of the amazing Grigori Legacy series. Linda is also the author of the contemporary romance Gwynneth Ever After.


Welcome to Pearls Cast Before A McPig, Linda.

Thank you so very much for inviting me onto your blog, Sullivan! It’s a pleasure to visit with you!

Could you tell a bit about yourself for those people who don’t know you yet?

What, you mean I’m not totally world-famous?!? That’s it...now I’m traumatized for life...*laughs* Just kidding, of course (that would be my rather wacky sense of humor making an appearance...sorry!). Let’s see...I’m Canadian, married to a cop for 27 years, mom to three mostly grown girls (my youngest is 19), keeper of a small zoo (two cats, a rabbit, a bearded dragon lizard, and a dog that’s big enough to count for three), a total coffee snob (...and addict...), an organic gardener, an avid walker, and one of the world’s great procrastinators (I blame the Internet!). :-)

How many books will there be in the Grigori Legacy series?

There will be a total of four.

Have you ever used people you know as characters in your books?

Not on purpose, no...though I do suspect some personality traits have found their way into my characters.

Are there any other projects you’re working on or thinking about starting in the near future?

I do have an idea for another series, but the fourth book in the Grigori Legacy series is my first priority right now.

If you could meet any characters in your book, who would it be and why?

The Archangel Michael. While I hadn’t even imagined him yet when I started writing the series, he’s grown into a wonderfully complex, surprisingly human character. That humanness makes him feel more approachable, somehow. I would love to meet him. :-)


Where can you be found when you’re not at your desk writing?

Out walking through the woods, in my garden, having coffee with a friend...writing takes up most of my time, however, because I also do freelance writing/editing for clients.

What did you do to celebrate the release of your first book?

I went to the bookstore and took pictures of it on the shelf. :-) :-)

What is the best thing about being a published author?

Hearing from readers that I kept them up way past their bedtimes because they simply couldn’t put the book down. That has to be the Best. Compliment. Ever.

What authors have been an influence to you? And have you read any books lately that you want to share with us or have you been too busy with writing to read?

I’m not conscious of any particular authors being a direct influence...I think it’s a more of an osmosis thing with me. While I read widely, I tend not to analyze books that much, so if I’m being influenced by them, it’s very much at a subconscious level. Books I’ve read in the last few months have included Cold Days by Jim Butcher, Hopeless by Colleen Hoover, Ashen Winter by Mike Mullin, Gathering Night by Margaret Elphinstone, Graveminder by Melissa Marr, and The Thirteen Hallows by Michael Scott.

Thanks for dropping by. I'm looking forward to reading Sins of the Lost.




About Sins of the Lost:

Heaven and Hell are on the brink of war as Lucifer builds his Nephilim army and waits for his new agenda to become a reality — that of having a Nephilimchild of his own bloodline to lead his forces to cataclysmic victory.

With rumors of the pending war rampant on Earth, Alex fights to save humanity from its own panic –­ leaving little time for her fledgling
relationship with Seth, the man with heavenly origins who has captured her heart. But when Nephilim children begin to disappear, along with Alex’s own vulnerable niece, the inevitable war between Heaven and Hell becomes as personal as sin.

Heaven has its own plans to fight the coming apocalypse, but first it needs Seth back. Asked to betray the man she loves, Alex must turn for help to the soulmate she thought she’d given up — the Archangel Aramael, who may be her last chance to save her family and humanity from the ashes of Lucifer’s Armageddon.

Get it from Amazon on October 15, 2013

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Swag Giveaway

Linda kindly offered a swag pack to one reader of my blog.

The winner is Anna!

A winner will be picked at random on September 27th.
Open internationally to everyone who's legally allowed to enter this giveaway.

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Don't forget to leave a comment:
I decided to have an event wide giveaway on my blog for commenters.

At the end of this event I'll pick one commenter on any author post of this event at random and that person will win a book of his/her choice as long as bookdepository ships to where you live, you're legally allowed to enter, and the book costs no more than 10$

And drop by Between Dreams and Reality as well for more great author posts.

Sins of the Son - Book Review

Sins of the Son (Grigori Legacy #2)
by Linda Poitevin

What is it about:
When homicide detective Alexandra Jarvis sees a photo of Seth Benjamin on a police bulletin, she knows that Heaven's plan to halt Armageddon has gone terribly wrong. As the only mortal who knows of Seth's true nature, only she can save him.

Aramael was a hunter of Fallen Angels until a traitor forced him into earthly exile. Now, with no powers and only a faint memory of Alex, his mortal soulmate, he will stop at nothing to redeem himself-even if it means destroying Seth in the name of the Creator...

What did I think of it:
This book is brilliant, awesome and evil!!

I loved the first book in this series and immediately pre-ordered this one as soon as I finished Sins of the Angels, even though I was suspecting this book might have a love triangle.

And it does have a love triangle: One of the men Alex feels attracted to is selfish and petulant in my opinion, while the other is trying to do what's best for Alex and what's best for the world. Three guesses which one of them gets his heart stomped on.

But where other authors make me frown and throw the book across the room, Poitevin manages to write the story in such a way that even while I feel like kicking Alex I also feel like this is the way this story should play out. She manages to make me care for the story even when it's not doing what I want it to.

I muttered, I cursed, I hoped, I got angry, but never did I feel like I wanted to put the book down. I fell in love with it instead and couldn't stop reading until I finished it and I'll be rereading it for sure. Now the waiting for book three begins...

Why should you read it:
It's an excellently written and amazingly beautiful story!

Feelin Lucky Giveaway Hop

This hop is hosted by:
I Smell Sheep
and
Fictional Candy

For this hop I'm giving away one copy of Sins of the Angels by Linda Poitevin.

If you want a chance to win then follow these rules:
- Leave a comment in which you tell me why you feel lucky today
- Leave a way to contact you
- Sing a song about Leprechauns, Sheep and Angels while chewing candy
(ok, that last one is just optional :-p)

That's it!

You don't have to be a follower to enter
And of course the giveaway is international!

Winner will be picked at random on March 14th

For more cool giveaways just hop along:

Sins of the Angels - Book Review

Sins of the Angels (Grigori Legacy #1)
by Linda Poitevin

What is it about:
A detective with a secret lineage. An undercover Hunter with a bullet-proof soul. And a world made to pay for the sins of an angel…

Homicide detective Alexandra Jarvis answers to no one. Especially not to the new partner assigned to her in the middle of a gruesome serial killer case—a partner who is obstructive, irritatingly magnetic, and arrogant as hell.

Aramael is a Power—a hunter of the Fallen Angels. A millennium ago, he sentenced his own brother to eternal exile for crimes against humanity. Now his brother is back and wreaking murderous havoc in the mortal realm. To find him, Aramael must play second to a human police officer who wants nothing to do with him and whose very bloodline threatens both his mission and his soul.

Now, faced with a fallen angel hell-bent on triggering the apocalypse, Alex and Aramael have no choice but to join forces, because only together can they stop the end of days.

What did I think of it:
I will confess I skipped over this book a couple of times because of the cover. I just didn't think much of it: female detective in a suit, but with lose hair.... Meh.

But after reading the raving reviews of some bloggers with a similar taste I decided I had to put aside my dislike of the cover and give the book a chance. (The awesome cover of the second book in this series helped as well. Yes, I know: I'm bad.)

Remind me to never again judge a book by its cover!

This is such an amazing read I couldn't put it down until I had finished it.

Alex is a strong, but likeable heroine. She has a lot more patience with the stubborn Aramael than I would have had. I like how even though there's an instant attraction Alex doesn't just give in, but fights it until she gets to know and trust Aramael.

Aramael is a very intriguing character. He's stubborn, difficult and it took me a while to warm up to him, but Poitevin manages to write him in such a way that once I did connect with him I could also really understand him and from then on I rooted for both him and Alex to save the day.

Romance and action are woven together perfectly and I was worried just as much for Alex and Aramael finding happiness as I was worrying about the outcome of the overall story.

The ending of this book is both awesome and frustrating and left me hungry for more and I'll be counting the days till the release of the next book in this series.

Why should you read it:
It's a nailbiting and awesome UF/PNR thriller.