Stephanie's books

Clockwork Angel
Eragon
City of Bones
Twilight
The Fellowship of the Ring
The Golden Compass
Night World, No. 2
Thirst No. 2: Phantom, Evil Thirst, and Creatures of Forever
Thirst No. 3: The Eternal Dawn
The Iron Daughter
The Iron King
Nightshade
Divergent
A Discovery of Witches
A Great and Terrible Beauty
The Hunger Games
The Host
City of Glass
Memoirs of a Geisha
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo


Stephanie's favorite books »

Wednesday 25 September 2013

Release Day Celebration and Review-Waterproof

It's September 24th and that means that Waterproof has finally arrived!
(oops I'm a day late but it's out either way!!) 
Buy Now at Amazon or Smashwords


Title: Waterproof
Author: Amber Garr
Rating: 5/5
Summary
Dying of thirst is the new reality.

Five years after the last drop of clean water disappeared, global societies collapsed and nuclear war shattered all hope of recovery. In a place now only a skeleton of its former self, survivors fight to avoid capture by the government. Forced to work in factories that produce the only drinking water available, those who go in, never come out.

Zach and Vivienne have lived as deserters since they were teenagers. Fighting amongst their own and scrounging for the necessities of life, they’ve learned to rely on each other in every way. Yet when tragedy strikes and the true objectives of the government facility are revealed, their world is ripped apart. A fate once thought to hold their demise may be the sole answer to their survival. Who can they trust? Who can they believe? 

In this life, it pays to be waterproof. 

Disclaimer: Waterproof is a new adult dystopian with sex, violence, and language that may not be suitable for a younger audience

Link to Trailer: http://youtu.be/lmS51MLf4pM

My Review
 I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest review and to help her celebrate the release day, I am a little late but I still wanted to mention that is was released sept. 24 and you should get it asap.
  The idea behind this story is something I have definitely thought about, and I think the author did a great job of making it exciting, entertaining, heartwarming and believable. The world has become a scary place were survival of the fittest has taken over but this small group of characters have found each other and made their own family.
  I can't totally explain why but I found myself feeling very connected to these characters and not just Zach and Vivienne but all of them. Sasha strong and maternal (although I don't think she would admit it), Max the strong silent co leader, Jackson the easy going buddy always willing to fight to protect his friends, Trevor the annoying but lovable guy, and Hunter melted my heart  I was very glad he had a great group looking out for him. I wanted to be Vivienne so bad and not just because she is a kick ass fighter with a strong will, but mostly cause she got to be around Zach who I have seriously fallen in love with, he is protective of his loved ones and determined to do anything for his loved ones, especially Vivienne which brings me back to wanting to be her lol, and call me morbid if you will but a few of my favorite quotes by him were:

"The signature feel of flesh parting around my blade sent a roll of satisfaction through me that I never would've believed I'd been Capable of"
"Tomorrow would be time for revenge"
I found them to be strong and hot proving he knows how to take care of himself and the ones around him, also brings me to say that the writing in this book was beautifully done and I can't wait to read more books by Amber Garr and I really really really hope that includes a second book to this one.
Now I read a lot of young adult books and they don't usually contain sex scenes and that doesn't bother me since I am not a big fan I find them to be repetitive and a bit unnecessary, implied sex works just fine for me lol, but this book contained a sex scene so hot, passionate, and well written that I seriously hope my next sexual encounter is as beautiful as this was, even the quick elevator love was cute and hot at the same time.
Now I don't want to give away the big secret but when they get to the compound, don't believe everything you read, Vivienne was right it's to good to be true. So much crazy unexpected stuff happens that Zach took the words right out of my mouth when he said: "I can't wrap my brain around this." . Also I was never sure about Riley and after that absolutely INSANE ending I still don't know how to feel so again I say there had better be a book 2.
 I think dystopian fans would enjoy this book so if you like that genre then pick this one up, it is a beautifully written adventure of love, survival and family so it cause I LOVED it and I think lots of others will too. 

About The Author

Amber Garr spends her days as a scientist and nights writing about other worlds. Born in Pennsylvania, she lives in Maryland with her husband and their furry kids. Her childhood imaginary friend was a witch, Halloween is sacred, and she is certain that she has a supernatural sense of smell. Amber is a multiple Royal Palm Literary Award winner, author of Waterproof, The Syrenka Series, The Leila Marx Novels, and the upcoming Death Warden Series. When not obsessing over the unknown, she can be found dancing, reading, or enjoying a good movie. Find out more at www.ambergarr.com.



Monday 23 September 2013

Review- The Star

Title: The Star
Author: C. Warner-Thompson
Rating: 3/5
Summary
Abbii had been afraid of the dark for four long years. She hated the eerie silence that filled the night.
She would often try to forget by closing her eyes at night, but she would always be met by dreams of Shadows that would attack her, dragging her into the Darkness. Most nights, she would simply lie there with her bedding wrapped tightly around her, hoping that she would drift off into a dreamless sleep.
Ever since that day four years ago, the dark had frightened her; she had thought it would be a curse throughout the whole of her life, but something changed when she met him.
The dark seemed to lose its power and the moon’s light brightened.
Her dreams didn’t stop; nightmares still stole her sleep, but there was always a figure of Light that would save her and allow her to wake.
He said the same thing every night in her dreams. Keep fighting, Abbii.
She thought that he was part of her imagination, someone that she had created to save herself, until she met him and was drawn into his bright hazel eyes.
His name was Nate.

My Review
**I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review**
  The idea behind this story was neat, I thought it was a cool change to the light vs darkness plot, and the way magic was used and explained was kinda neat and different. I found myself lost a few times trying to figure out what was happening, I think I needed a bit more back round information which I did get later but I had kinda figured it out for myself by then.
Abbii was a complex character which I enjoyed, but at times I was frustrated with her nonchalance of nobody telling her who she is, why the shadows are after her, and what being the star means,maybe it's because I wanted to know so bad I wished she was more interested and persistent in finding out what people know. I noticed Nate brought out a fight in Abbii that I had hoped for, and I hope now that they have some answers about themselves they can be together and fight side by side.

Overall I found this book enjoyable and I think it was a good start to what I am sure will be an exciting series. The ending gave the book a bit of a kick start and now with the new revelations Abbii and Nate were given I think things may really pick up.

About The Author
A writer from my early teens, who lives in my fantasy worlds just as much as real life. I self-published my first book, Purest Light, when i was 16, which is the first book of my first series. The 2nd and 3rd were released 2 years later, allowing me to start on my new fantasy series. The Star was released this year and i am currently working on the sequel, i'm looking forward to the future :)

Thursday 19 September 2013

Review- Broken Aro (The Broken Ones 1)

Title: Broken Aro
Author: Jen Wylie
Rating: 5/5

Summary
Open your eyes to darkness. What do you see? Does the darkness frighten you? Now imagine the darkness being the cargo hold of a slave ship. Your city has fallen. Your family is most likely dead. You don't know anyone around you, and some of them aren't even human. Giving up would be so easy to do, but not for Arowyn Mason. Not after being raised in a military family with seven brothers. Every great story should begin with a plan. Aro's was to escape and to survive.

Escape comes, but at a price. As they reach the shore, Aro and the other survivors learn that freedom doesn't mean safety. The slavers want their property back and will do anything to get it. The party uses every ounce of their brute strength, a hearty helping of cunning, and even ancient magics to keep themselves alive. Sickness, danger, and even love surprise them at every turn. Dealing with danger becomes their way of life, but none of them ever considered that nothing can be quite as dangerous as a prophecy. Running turns into another race altogether as her world falls to pieces again and again.

My Review

      I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I was drawn to this book by the beautiful cover and very interesting summary, but when I started reading I was held by the excitement from start to finish, there was not a page or word I did not love. I love that Jen Wylie created a new and mysterious world, I am still not 100% sure if this was earth or another land but I don't care I absolutely loved it anyway. There were slavers, Fey, Elves, Were's and Dragons what a fantastic mix.
For me the most important moral, if you will, was that family does not end with blood, Aro had many people both before and after the slavers, but she learned that anyone can choose a family when you need it and if you let people they will love and protect you. Speaking of protecting that was favorite part about the boys in this book they immediately saw a chance to protect Aro when they met her, and it's not that she could not look after herself but it sure helped to have them around.  Kei melted my heart many times but I read and re-read the words of friendship bond as I thought it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. So I must share it with you now.
"In  friendship I shall bind my heart and soul to yours. Forever beside you I shall stand. Together or apart always will I be with you. Eternal friends we shall ever be."
All the characters in this book will be ones I will remember for a long time, the suthor found a way to make them all important and they each had a vital role to play. I just don't think I can gush enough about this wonderful book and since I don't want to spoil anything I will just say one more thing, so many CRAZY bombshells were dropped in the last half I just didn't know what to think but I was always proud of how Aro and everyone around her handled themselves. I hope that people are smart and read this book because is now for sure in my top ten and a must read! I was not sure at first if this was a series but I was so glad to discover that it was as I will need to go back to this world and travel this journey with these characters once again.
About The Author

Jennifer Wylie was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. In a cosmic twist of fate she dislikes the snow and cold.
Before settling down to raise a family, she attained a BA from Queens University and worked in retail and sales.
Thanks to her mother she acquired a love of books at an early age and began writing in public school. She constantly has stories floating around in her head, and finds it amazing most people don’t. Jennifer writes various forms of fantasy, both novels and short stories. Sweet light was her debut novel.
Jennifer resides in rural Ontario, Canada with her two boys, Australian shepherd and a disagreeable amount of wildlife.

Tuesday 17 September 2013

Traveling Book Tour- Breaking Glass

Title: Breaking Glass
Author: Lisa Armowitz
Rating: 5/5

Summary
On the night seventeen-year-old Jeremy Glass winds up in the hospital with a broken leg and a blood alcohol level well above the legal limit, his secret crush, Susannah, disappears. When he begins receiving messages from her from beyond the grave, he's not sure whether they're real or if he's losing his grip on reality. Clue by clue, he gets closer to unraveling the mystery, and soon realizes he must discover the truth or become the next victim himself.

My Review
** I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review**
So first let me explain about the Traveling book tour because that is how I received this book. So basically there were I think four of us signed up in Canada and I was first to receive this book from the author I read it and now I will pass it along to the next girl on the list and it will continue until it makes its way back to author with all of us leaving notes inside for her (which let me tell you was very hard for me I do not like to mark up books but I did it for her lol) I thought this was such a cool idea its a way for you to share in the love of books with other and I liked to sit and imagine what others would be thinking and doing while reading the same words I did from the very same book. So thanks once again to Justine over at the Goodreads group reading for fun and the wonderful author Lisa Amowitz for putting this fun reading event on.
 And now for my review for this amazeballs book. First I must confess it has been a while since I have read a ghost/mystery story and mostly that's because I find they hit a bit close to home, as I am one who believes in the spirit world, and I sometimes get a little spooked, but I am so glad I chose this one it was touching, heartbreaking, and very mysterious with out the big spook factor. I had a hard time putting this book down I found myself wanting to know what happened as bad as Jeremy, I was a little obsessed with this mystery and let me tell you everything is not as it seems and every person in this tale is also not what they seem. What a great tale of twists, turns and some broken lives maybe repaired.
 Jeremy oh poor poor Jeremy I really just wanted to scoop him up in my arms and hold him until he felt better, I understood he held so much pain and I wanted to fix it for him, but when I think back he also had a resilience and I believe that is why I just couldn't stop hoping for the best, he needed those answers to heal him whether he knew it or not, and the journey this mystery took him on in a weird way broke him more and then slowly pieced him back together.
I hope I didn't give away to much because everyone deserves to be as surprised as I was and just when you think okay this has to be all the OMG moments left you will be wrong there is more, much more.
The journey of these characters is brought together perfectly with it moving back and forth to the "then" and "Now" I loved how the author brought them together too, it's hard to explain but it works beautifully and adds that little bit extra that keeps you guessing and expecting a much different outcome.
I would recommended this story to everyone and anyone because it's not just a ghost story mystery, it is also a tale of love lost and found, and the ability to cope with even the most life shattering of situations. I think we can all relate to lose and confusion and this book is a beautifully tragic tale that will pull at your heartstrings and have you lost in the mystery until the very end. Awesome just Awesome!!!!!!

This is my beautiful sister holding the amazing book (she took a way better picture than me LOL)










About the Author
Lisa Amowitz is an artist and graphic designer by trade, but writing
has always been a deep and abiding passion. As a mom of an actual
teen, she's not just writing YA; she's living it. 

She can be found online at: http://lisa-amowitzya.blogspot.com/

Sunday 15 September 2013

Review- Ashes and Ice (Ashes and Ice #1)

Title: Ashes and Ice
Author: Rochelle Maya Callen
Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary
She is desperate to remember.
He is aching to forget.
Together, they are not broken.
But together, one may not survive.

​Jade wakes up with no memory of her past and blood on her hands. 

Plagued by wicked thoughts, she searches for answers. Instead, she finds a boy who doesn't offer her answers, but hope. But sometimes, when nightmares turn into reality and death follows you everywhere, hope is not enough. 

LUST. LOVE. LOSS. Sometimes, all that is left are Ashes and Ice.

My Review

 I won this book at a launch party a while ago and I`m so glad I finally got the time to read it, this book was a breath of fresh air to me and I enjoyed everything about it. I really liked the pace of the book and the short chapters kept me interested and wanting to know what will come next, also loved that each one switched between Connor`s and Jade`s points of view, it gave insight to both sides while keeping the mystery alive.
   Jade was a great big question mark I wanted to know answers as much as she did like how did she get there, why doesn`t her heart beat, and so many other things. I thought her mystery unfolded beautifully and in such a way, that let me tell you I did not see coming, what a unique take on an age old story and I can`t wait to get more, especially now that so much is out in the open with so much still left to be discovered. Conor oh Conor I fell for this sweet awkward guy who suffered so much and deserved so much more. I will always have a soft spot for the lovable nerd, but Conor was not only that he was also a fierce spirit ready to fight for love.

  What an ending my heart broke, and I cried tears of joy and sadness, I can`t believe I was left hanging like that, I need answers so bad I want to know more about Jade`s past, about the mystery man and most of all I want to see Conor and Jade`s love prevail, the universe seems to be telling them they need each other and I believe they do too. I am so glad I got to read this and if you have been putting it off then get on it lol, it is worth it for sure.

Friday 13 September 2013

Blog Tour Review- The Keeper- Awakening

Title: The Keeper: Awakening
Author: O.L. Ramos
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Tour Host: Lady Amber's Tours
Series: Keeper book 1
Rating: 4/5

Summary
Elizabeth is a brilliant loner with a troubling secret she doesn't even know. As if the trauma of her mother being abducted before her eyes as a young girl wasn't enough, the small town she lives in thinks she’s crazy. That all changed when she met Michael, a mysterious and handsome man who identified with her like no one else before.

Michael’s long time friend Vincent visits and drops the bombshell of a lifetime on Elizabeth and her world becomes completely unraveled. Vincent’s information has revealed the world for what it is; a place where the impossible is real, and myths and legends walk slyly in shadow. A world that Elizabeth will learn she too is a member.

Now, the three are caught up in a thousand year long conspiracy they never could have imagined. The three must rely on one another and the secret connection they all share if they have a chance to survive.


My Review

 Received this book from author in exchange for an honest review!!
I don't know about any one else but this was a new concept for me. I must admit at first I thought oh great another love triangle of the twilight verity,I am not a fan of love triangles and this one was okay for me not great but okay, but this was so much more the love triangle was there sure but the most prominent part of the story was about balance and the idea that everything happens for a reason. I also really liked that the story was a lot more complex then I thought I could be and I was also surprised about how her mothers story was a part of it all.
  I really enjoyed how it was spiritual in a nature sort of way, it was good vs evil the nature edition, I was pleased with that so much of the good vs evil is angels and daemons or heaven and hell making it all a bit to spiritual for me in a religious way, this story gave the balance of nature the spiritual aspect and I found it refreshing. Elizabeth was like the glue of this group keeping them grounded and centered and I enjoyed the balance between them and I also like the contrast that Michel and Vincint created they were like opposite sides of the same coin whether they would admit it or not.
There is so much to be discovered and I want every one to discover it for them selves so I will not spoil anything but what I will say is this is an awesome new idea and I think this book was a great first to what I am sure will be a very adventurous and fun series.

Author Bio:
O.L. Ramos was born in Miami, Florida to Cuban immigrant parents. From a very young age he found himself drawn to books and telling stories to anyone who would hear it. His job titles have been so diverse, from being a sales manager to a retail giant to even being a deputy sheriff, but his love of the written word never left. After a work related injury as a deputy sheriff forced him to tone down his workload, he was able to use that as an excuse to finally dedicate his sole focus to writing


Links:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7058502.O_L_Ramos

Twitter: https://twitter.com/@kpftwin

Thursday 12 September 2013

Blog Blast Review- Fire Country (The Country Saga book 1)

Title: Fire country

Author: David Estes
Series: Country Saga book 1
Rating: 5/5


Summary
In a changed world where the sky bleeds red, winter is hotter than hell and full of sandstorms, and summer's even hotter with raging fires that roam the desert-like country, the Heaters manage to survive, barely. 

Due to toxic air, life expectancies are so low the only way the tribe can survive is by forcing women to procreate when they turn sixteen and every three years thereafter. It is their duty as Bearers.

Fifteen-year-old Siena is a Youngling, soon to be a Bearer, when she starts hearing rumors of another tribe of all women, called the Wild Ones. They are known to kidnap Youngling girls before the Call, the ceremony in which Bearers are given a husband with whom to bear children with. 

As the desert sands run out on her life's hourglass, Siena must uncover the truth about the Wild Ones while untangling the web of lies and deceit her father has masterfully spun

My Review
I'm still so blown away I'm not sure what to say but I am going to give it a go. I have read the three books in the Dwellers series and I loved them all, so I bought Fire Country right away. I was super excited to be asked to join the blog tour to celebrate the 7th and final book of the combined Dwellers and Country sagas, this gave me the great opportunity to read this amazing book that I should have read a long time ago.
With every book I've read by David Estes I have become a bigger fan. I liked how the writing style was unique to the series but had the same feel that I have come to know and love from Mr. Estes. It took me a second to adjust to the slang, but I found it an easy adjustment, and I mean this as a compliment it was reminiscent of Blood Red Road for me. I really loved how effortlessly the story flowed I was always engaged and always angry at reality when I needed to put the book aside and live in the real world when what I really wanted was to live in this world just a little bit longer. I even got a sneak peak at Ice Country (Book 2) and in just 20 pages I am in love again and can't wait to move on. I'm just so excited about this series and Author David Estes.
I feel like I can tell whats coming but with all the added layers this book brought I am very blown away at how fascinating, mind blowing and adventurous this tale has become. This book added a whole new band of trying to do the best they can with what they have been given. I can't wait to find out more about these groups and how they will entwine with not only each other but also the groups still not explored and the groups from the Dwellers books. 
I loved Siena's spirit right from page one and when things seemed like they just couldn't get any worse she let the tragedy and sacrifice change her for the better, instead of letting it cripple and stop her. I never expected her family to play such a large role, both in the good and evil, but it brought a great new perspective on how we judge people and what we expect from them.
I don't know how else to tell you how amazing this book is without spoiling anything for you, so please pick up this book asap and if you have not read the Dwellers series yet get those first. You will always have fun and enjoy your journey when you read a book by David Estes you will also be wanting more so get ready to marathon it. Have fun my reading friends and Happy Reading!!!!

The Dwellers 

Book 1




Book 2




book 3



The Country Saga



book 2 in the saga!!



book 3 in the saga!!!


And now for the reason we are all on this blog blast.....
 book 4 

Summary
The Earth Dwellers is the 4th book in BOTH The Dwellers Saga and The Country Saga. The author recommends that BOTH series are read in their entirety before reading this book (The Moon Dwellers, The Star Dwellers, The Sun Dwellers, Fire Country, Ice Country, Water & Storm Country).

Your favorite Dwellers and Country Saga characters come together in this epic seventh book! 

As President Borg Lecter threatens to annihilate the Country tribes in order to expand his glass-domed empire, Adele ventures into the belly of the beast. Her only hope of survival is the consolidation of Dwellers and Country power before it’s too late. 

Former demagogue President Nailin is eliminated, yet civil unrest infects every alliance. To save Adele, President Tristan faces his greatest challenge yet: unifying unfriendly Dwellers in the Tri-Realms to raise an army against Lecter. Meanwhile, Dazz must convince the Ice Country leaders to march with Siena and the Tri-Tribes on the gates of the Glass City.

The world sits on the edge of a knife. Will Adele, Tristan, Dazz, and Siena defeat Lecter and his army of killers before the Glassies wipe them off the face of the Earth?


About the Author


David Estes was born in El Paso, Texas but moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when he was very young. David grew up in Pittsburgh and then went to Penn State for college. Eventually he moved to Sydney, Australia where he met his wife. A reader all his life, he began writing novels for the children's and YA markets in 2010, and started writing full time in June 2012. Now he travels the world writing with his wife, Adele. David's a writer with OCD, a love of dancing and singing (but only when no one is looking or listening), a mad-skilled ping-pong player, and prefers writing at the swimming pool to writing at a table.

check him out on any of these sites:

Sunday 1 September 2013

Review- Deadly Crush (Deadly Trilogy #1)

Deadly Crush
Deadly Trilogy #1
by Ashley Stoyamoff
Rating: 5/5
Summary
Dog Mountain is just like any other small town — peaceful and uneventful. Well, that is if peaceful means wolves howling all night, and uneventful means it’s overrun by pesky werewolves, then yes, Dog Mountain is just your average small town.

Jade Shaw has spent the last two years avoiding the pack. But when Aidan Collins moves to town, avoiding the dogs doesn’t seem possible. The pack wants him just as much as she does.

Determined to keep him out of the pack’s grasp, Jade does everything she can to gain his attention. Little does she know, Aidan is in deeper with the pack than she could have imagined, and competing for his attention is a deadly game, one she may not want to win.

My Review

**I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review**
Okay wow this book is perfect. I'm a huge werewolf fan and because of that I can be very critical, for me as a fan I have high expectations and I also have a few things I feel are essential for a werewolf tale. This book meet all my expectations and included every essential and then some. I want the town of Dog Mountain to be real and I want so badly to move there. Wouldn't hurt if I met myself a buff, beautiful werewolf to be be my mate :) Yes I'm a nerd but if any supernatural were to exist I wish it would be werewolves and I also secretly (well not so much anymore) wish I could become one. Okay enough about me lets get back to this amazing book.

The writing was so realistic I felt like it was happening to me. The pace was great kept the book engaging and it was also full of beautiful descriptions and dialog. I loved the picture that was painted when characters shifted to wolf form, it felt real and I loved every second of it, it helped me imagine my dream come true lol. The layers of conflict were blended perfectly keeping me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I don't just want to know what happens to these characters I NEED to know, I could not believe this book came to an end and I feel a little sad that it's over, I wanted to live in the pages of this book forever.

Now I must confess to my giant girl crush on Jade, I want to be her she is smart, strong, and determined maybe a bit stubborn and able to hold a bit of a grudge but hey no one is perfect. I was drawn to her right away and getting Aidan's point of view and seeing her through his eyes made me love her even more. I loved her confidence she knew who she was and who she wanted to be, and even when her world is thrown into a tail spin she finds her purpose and is quick to stand up for what she knows is right...even is there are consequences. Not only all that but she sure makes a kick ass werewolf.

Aidan, oh what can I say about Aidan, I hope men like him exist in the real world. I loved getting his point of view on the whole thing. Most of all the I enjoyed his fierce love for Jade that can only come with being part wolf. I think that by far has always been my favorite part of werewolf stories, funny because it's the thing that bugged Jade the most, but I have always loved the protective love they feel when the inner wolf claims a mate. I was so glad that it was an aspect of the story. I will forever be rooting for Aidan and Jade's happy ending. I am officially I huge fan and I think everyone should read this if you don't love werewolves now read this and you will.