[Cover Reveal] Stealing Infinity by Alyson Noel

Stealing Infinity
Alyson Noel
Publication date: February 1st 2022
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

When a young girl with an usual gift is whisked away to an academy for time-travelling teens, she becomes the target for a sinister organization hell-bent on rewriting history in this clever and fast-paced YA that is guaranteed to become your next fantasy romance obsession.

Goodreads

Author Bio:

Alyson Noël is the #1 NYT best-selling author of many award-winning and critically acclaimed novels for readers of all ages.

With 9 NYT bestsellers and over 8 million copies in print, her books have been translated into 36 languages, sold in over 200 countries, and have topped the NYT, USA Today, LA Times, Publisher’s Weekly, Wall Street Journal, NCIBA, and Walmart Bestsellers lists, as well as several international bestsellers lists.

She is best known for THE IMMORTALS series, THE RILEY BLOOM series, and SAVING ZOË, which was adapted into a movie now available on Amazon.

Born and raised in Orange County, California, she’s lived in both Mykonos and Manhattan and is now settled in Southern California.

Learn more at:
www.alysonnoel.com.

Instagram:
http://instagram.com/alyson_noel

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/AlysonNoel

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialAlysonNoel

Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/alysonnoel

[Review] Star-Crossed Dragons by Chris Cannon

Title: Star-Crossed Dragons
Series: N/A
Author: Chris Cannon
Genre: YA, fantasy, dragons, magic
Format: ebook from the publisher on NetGalley
Publication Date: February 1, 2021
Published By: Entangled Teen
Source: ebook from the publisher on NetGalley

Synopsis from Publisher

Ice-princess, Sara Sinclair, is the most un-Blue Blue Dragon of her Clan. And now her parents signed a marriage contract to an absolute asshat. Sara has no interest in being one half of a snobby Blue power couple. In fact, all she can dream about is biting her obnoxious fiancé’s head off and burying him in the garden. Since that can’t happen, her future seems like a lost cause, until she meets Ian, a fire-breathing Red Dragon—who is everything her fiancé is not.

Now Sara’s jumped from the frying pan into the fire because dating outside of your Clan is against Directorate law. Ian could be thrown in jail or executed without a trial. But now that she knows what love feels like, she can’t imagine being with anyone else.

Talk about a rock and a hard place…

About Chris Cannon

Chris Cannon is the award-winning author of the Going Down In Flames series, the Crossroads Chronicles, the Boyfriend Chronicles, and the Dating Dilemma series. She lives in Southern Illinois with her husband and several furry beasts.
She believes coffee is the Elixir of Life. Most evenings after work, you can find her sucking down caffeine and writing fire-breathing paranormal adventures or romantic comedies.

My Thoughts:
Star-Crossed Dragons tells the story of Sara Sinclair, a well off member of the blue dragon clan. She has been promised to another high ranking blue dragon clan member, and she is struggling with the idea of this union and her role in the blue dragon clan as a whole. She runs into Ian, a member of the red dragon clan, while she is fleeing her intended. Ian is like no one she has ever met before. She likes that he actually listens to her and involves her in things, unlike Ferrin, her intended, who believes the role of blue dragon women is only to bear children and support their husband.

The story starts off very strong. The world building is fantastic and I was quickly pulled into the world of the dragon clans. I loved how every color dragon had their specialty and their role in society. I think I would have been a black or green dragon. I would have loved even more about their difference and how their society came to be. However, I was often caught wondering why the clans were kept so separate. Why can't they have relationships outside their own color?

I felt there were explanations missing for many things, like the directorate. Why were they formed. Why did the rest of the dragon society allow it. Why do the rest of the dragons not fight against the amount of power and fortune the blue dragons hoard? What was the punishment for being out past curfew? Why was there a curfew? What is the extent of their powers?

The writing was pretty basic throughout the majority of the book, and for some reason it got worse as the book progressed. The first half was wonderful, but the second half dragged in places, but then the epilogue raced through so much where I would have liked more details. The pacing was just awkward overall.

I also felt like parts of the book were missing that dangerous feeling that I felt it should have had. Sara and Ian are doing things that could get them killed. Yet even though it's mentioned, the danger isn't really felt. I don't feel them being careful, sneaking around. There should have been more people that were curious about their actions. There should have been that rush of the directorate coming after them, the actual chase, but I just never felt it. The ending was just too slow, too basic, too much back and forth, should we, shouldn't we. Just not enough drama/action! It just seems too much happily ever after with not enough fight/suffering. Too easy.

I was also left wondering what happened to the characters left behind. I would have liked a little focus on their reactions, maybe how they handled the directorate questioning them (because I am assuming that would have to happen). Maybe there will be another book? Hopefully?

Overall I enjoyed the story, it was a light easy read, and I would be interested in reading more from this world.

The Pros:

• The world building is fantastic.
• Ian was my favorite character.
• Sara's attitude and her always wanting to shift and bite off Ferrin's head.

The Cons:

• The writing is basic, almost feels like a rough draft, especially nearing the end.
  
• The back and forth, should I, shouldn't I gets tiring fast.
• Sadly seems to be a one off, I would like to read more in this world.

[Review] Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Obsidian
Series: Lux (Book 1)
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Genre: YA, sci-fi, aliens
Format: audiobook from library
Publication Date: July 17, 2015
Published By: Tantor Media, Inc.
Source: Borrowed From Library

Synopsis from Publisher

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring… until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something… unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is.

About Jennifer L. Armentrout

# 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Charles Town, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. In early 2015, Jennifer was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a group of rare genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and death of cells in the retina, eventually resulting in loss of vision, among other complications. Due to this diagnosis, educating people on the varying degrees of blindness has become of passion of hers, right alongside writing, which she plans to do as long as she can.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Tor, HarperCollins Avon and William Morrow, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her Wicked Series has been optioned by PassionFlix. Jennifer has won numerous awards, including the 2013 Reviewers Choice Award for Wait for You, the 2015 Editor’s Pick for Fall With Me, and the 2014/2015 Moerser-Jugendbuch- Jury award for Obsidian. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA. Her adult romantic suspense novel TILL DEATH was a Amazon Editor’s Pick and iBook Book of the Month. Her young adult contemporary THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER is a 2017 RITA Award Winner in Young Adult Fiction. She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

She is the owner of ApollyCon and The Origin Event, the successful annual events that features over hundred bestselling authors in Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult Fiction, panels, parties, and more.

My Thoughts:
Jennifer L. Armentrout is a very talented writer. I love the way she uses humor in her writing. 

My palms itched to have a close encounter of the bitch-slap kind with his face.

Her characters are very realistic (even the alien ones) and the story is believable (even with aliens). The way the differences between the two alien races are described is very interesting, with the light and dark. I don't completely understand the hatred of the Arum for the Luxans, but maybe more will come out later in the series.

I loved that Katy was a book review blogger. It wasn't just mentioned once and then brushed off, it was mentioned many times and it was part of who she was. She loved books and loved talking about them. I felt like we were kindred spirits. I also loved that she is a take no shit kind of girl. I kind of want to be more like her that way. Daemon is an ass to her, but she gives back and doesn't just run away and cry in a corner.

“Thanks,” I muttered and added under my breath, “Douchebag.”

He laughed, deep and throaty. “Now that’s not very ladylike, Kittycat.”

I whipped around. “Don’t ever call me that,” I snapped.

“It’s better than calling someone a douchebag, isn’t it?” He pushed out the door. “This has been a stimulating visit. I’ll cherish it for a long time to come.”

Okay. That was it. “You know, you’re right. How wrong of me to call you a douchebag. Because a douchebag is too nice of a word for you,” I said, smiling sweetly. “You’re a dickhead.”

“A dickhead?” he repeated. “How charming.”

I flipped him off.”

I know a lot of readers had an issue with Daemon's attitude and the way he often talked to Katy, and I understand that. But, I read/listened to the prequel first so I understand the underlying reasons for his behavior. Does it make it right? Of course not, but again, I understand the reasoning. He wanted to chase her off. He didn't want what happened to his brother to happen to anyone else in his community, especially his sister.

I loved Daemon. He had the outside asshole thing going on, but you could tell he had a solid heart. He cared deeply for his sister and wanted to protect her as much as he can. Later, he forms an unwanted bond with Katy and tried to protect her as much as he can, without really realizing that is what he is doing. The whole storyline with the other young man who takes her to prom (I can't remember his name) was proof enough of that. I look forward to reading Oblivian, which is Obsidian told through Daemon's eyes.

The love/hate relationship between Katy and Daemon drives me nuts. It was cute at first, but went on way too long. I don't understand how two people can be so blind. I don't understand how Katy can't see past Daemon's sharp words to the actions which clearly show he cares for her. She lets his words hurt her (which of course they would hurt) but she doesn't even try to look beyond the words to see what he is actually showing her. 

With regards to the audiobook edition, I really enjoyed the narrator, Justine Eyre. I have listened to several books she has narrated, including the prequel to this series, Shadows. Her voice kind of reminds me of Katie Holmes as Joey Potter in Dawson's Creek.

Overall I am a big fan of this book and I look forward to continuing on with the series.

The Pros:

• Jennifer's writing style is entertaining and full of humor.
• The audiobook narrator was very talented. I enjoyed listening to her voice.
• I was very much interested in the two alien races and hope to learn more about each one.

The Cons:

• The love hate relationship gets very tiring.
  
• I found it hard to believe that Katy was so blind that she couldn't distinguish the difference between Daemon's words and his actions. His actions clearly show he cares.

[Blog Tour] By a Charm and a Curse by Jaime Questell

About By a Charm and a Curse: 

Le Grand’s Carnival Fantastic isn’t like other traveling circuses. It’s bound by a charm, held together by a centuries-old curse, that protects its members from ever growing older or getting hurt. Emmaline King is drawn to the circus like a moth to a flame…and unwittingly recruited into its folds by a mysterious teen boy whose kiss is as cold as ice.

Forced to travel through Texas as the new Girl in the Box, Emmaline is completely trapped. Breaking the curse seems like her only chance at freedom, but with no curse, there’s no charm, either—dooming everyone who calls the Carnival Fantastic home. Including the boy she’s afraid she’s falling for.

Everything—including his life—could end with just one kiss.

Buylinks: https://entangledpublishing.com/by-a-charm-and-a-curse.html

About Jaime Questell:

JAIME QUESTELL grew up in Houston, Texas, where she escaped the heat and humidity by diving into stacks of Baby Sitter’s Club and Sweet Valley High books. She has been a book seller (fair warning: book lovers who become book sellers will give half their paychecks right back to their employers), a professional knitter, a semi-professional baker, and now works as a graphic designer in addition to writing.

Author Links:

Author Website: jaimequestell.com

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaimequestell/

Author Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jaimequestell

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15396319.Jaime_Questell

Newsletter: http://jaimequestell.com/events/

Blog Tour Giveaway Widget:

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Excerpt from By a Charm and a Curse:

Leslie smiles at the girl with a mixture of pride and tentative hope. “It took us a few days to get Sidney set up somewhere else, and I’m sorry about that. But this wagon belongs to the occupant of the box.” Leslie strokes the side of the ladder that leads to the door. “What you’re going through is terrible, we know it is, though we can never truly understand. It’s a small comfort, but we want you to have a place that’s just your own, a place that you can use to escape.”

A weak, wobbly smile lifts the corners of the girl’s mouth as her gaze roves over the outside of the wagon, a shadow of the smile I saw the other night, when she was with her friend. I wonder what it would take to get her to smile for real.

“What about Sidney?”

“Sidney can make do.” Leslie’s smile broadens into a grin. “Have you seen the way he’s been eating? I wouldn’t be surprised to see him waddle out of the cook shack one of these mornings like Templeton the Rat.” She dangles a small copper key from the end of a length of faded red ribbon. “It’s like I said—the carnival owes the person in the box. This is the least we can do for you in return.”

The girl’s hand shakes as she reaches for the key, and she wraps her slender fingers around it tightly, as though she’s afraid of dropping it. I lose sight of her as she steps inside, and all I can do now is hope she likes the wagon.

I turn to head home and feel the sickening lurch as my foot lands in a slick patch of mud and whips out from beneath me. I throw out my arm. A flash of white-hot pain flares through my hand, but I manage to keep my footing. I step out of the mud that had nearly sent me sprawling on my ass, unsure as to how I even missed it in the first place. Then my hand begins to throb.

A gash runs diagonally across my palm. Blood wells from the wound, filling my cupped hand. The pain sets in, a deep pulsing starting in my palm and radiating up my arm. I glance over at the trailer and see a splash of red smeared along a sharp flap of metal. I must have sliced my hand on that as I tried to grab onto something to keep from slipping.

Falling on carnival grounds doesn’t happen; the charm sees to that. But my bloodied hand begs to differ.

[Release Day Blitz] Infinity (The Infinity Division #1) by Jus Accardo

Teaser:

There are three things Kori knows for sure about her life:
One: Her army general dad is insanely overprotective.
Two: The guy he sent to watch her, Cade, is way too good-looking.
Three: Everything she knew was a lie.
Now there are three things Kori never knew about her life:
One: There’s a device that allows her to jump dimensions.
Two: Cade’s got a lethal secret.
Three: Someone wants her dead.

Blurb:

Jus Accardo is one of my favourite authors. I stumbled on her, and her writing, when I was invited to review Touch almost 5 years ago now. (Wow! Has it really been that long!?) I always make sure to read everything she puts out, and I am NEVER disappointed.

I was lucky enough to meet her in person when I attended BEA in New York in 2012. She was one of the nicest people I have met. She took the time to sign all my books and just chatted with me like we were good friends.

To be honest, I haven't had the time to finish this book yet. I have been very busy with work, school, and personal growth projects. (I am learning to code!) But the little I have read of it so far is very intriguing, and typical Jus writing. I just love her writing style and can't get enough! I simply cannot wait to finish it. I know I am going to love it, as usual, and so will you!

Order from Amazon now!

About the Author:

JUS ACCARDO spent her childhood reading and learning to cook. Determined to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps as a chef, she applied and was accepted to the Culinary Institute of America. But at the last minute, she realized her true path lay with fiction, not food.

Jus is the bestselling author of the popular Denazen series from Entangled publishing, as well as the Darker Agency series, and the New Adult series, The Eternal Balance. A native New Yorker, she lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband, three dogs, and sometimes guard bear, Oswald.
Visit her website: www.jusaccardo.com