Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine

Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

**I received an e-book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
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Have you ever wondered what the world would be like if books were our religion? Enter this highly imaginative world to find out!

SYNOPSIS
With an iron fist, The Great Library controls the knowledge of the world, ruthlessly stamping out all rebellion, forbidding the personal ownership of books in the name of the greater good.

Jess Brightwell has survived his introduction to the sinister, seductive world of the Library, but serving in its army is nothing like he envisioned. His life and the lives of those he cares for have been altered forever. His best friend is lost, and Morgan, the girl he loves, is locked away in the Iron Tower and doomed to a life apart.

Embarking on a mission to save one of their own, Jess and his band of allies make one wrong move and suddenly find themselves hunted by the Library’s deadly automata and forced to flee Alexandria, all the way to London.

But Jess’s home isn’t safe anymore. The Welsh army is coming, London is burning, and soon, Jess must choose between his friends, his family, or the Library willing to sacrifice anything and anyone in the search for ultimate control. . .  

REVIEW
Let me start with the disclaimer - I have not managed to find time in my schedule yet to read Ink and Bone. As such, I didn't have the backstory going into this tale. I was still able to understand the action and enjoy the book.

The story took me a little longer to read than normal due to its weighty nature, and several other books that came due at the same time. Most of the stories I read have less intent behind them for lack of a better word. This is more of a mantle on your shoulders than a shawl if that analogy helps at all.

The Great Library - and most prominently - The Archivist - control the world in a system similar in many ways to how Catholicism with the Cardinals and Pope controlled our world at one point in our history. The setting for this world is in a near future and yet parallel universe. Magic is real, but only the Obsucrists can wield it. Steampunk is the norm with animatronics everywhere.

Jess and his friends are in the final stages of becoming High Garda - the elite army of the Great Library - when they stumble upon some disturbing truths. Chief among those truths is the fact that their friends Thomas is not actually dead. They must face options that may get them all killed in order to try to find a better way for the world.

This is a series I thought my daughter, an avid reader - even more so than me as she has more time on her hands, would enjoy. I still think she may enjoy it, but this series is a little heavier reading than she normally likes to do.

Overall it was an interesting read, and I do plan to read the other two books in the series at some point.

Blood of the Earth by Faith Hunter - Review and Giveaway!

It's happening again!  I have been given the awesome opportunity to not only review a terrific book by an author I love, but I also host a giveaway for one paperback copy to one lucky follower!  (US/Canada only.) And, isn't that cover gorgeous?!

SYNOPSIS:
Set in the same world as the New York Times bestselling Jane Yellowrock novels, an all-new series starring Nell Ingram, who wields powers as old as the earth.

When Nell Ingram met skinwalker Jane Yellowrock, she was almost alone in the world, exiled by both choice and fear from the cult she was raised in, defending herself with the magic she drew from her deep connection to the forest that surrounds her.

Now, Jane has referred Nell to PsyLED, a Homeland Security agency policing paranormals, and agent Rick LaFleur has shown up at Nell’s doorstep. His appearance forces her out of her isolated life into an investigation that leads to the vampire Blood Master of Nashville.

Nell has a team—and a mission. But to find the Master’s kidnapped vassal, Nell and the PsyLED team will be forced to go deep into the heart of the very cult Nell fears, infiltrating the cult and a humans-only terrorist group before time runs out.

Faith Hunter is the New York Times bestselling author of the Jane Yellowrock series and the Rogue Mage series

MY REVIEW 
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
**I received an e-book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
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Hungry for a new heroine of epic proportions? Nell will fit the bill.

Much like Jane, Nell is a strong woman - physically and mentally. Nell has been forged due to life's circumstances to be strong, self-reliant, and suspicious. She is also naturally very intelligent and intuitive, and her magical nature helps that intuition along as well. All these characteristics help her stand alone - and make it extremely hard to accept outsiders into her life.

Since helping Jane to rescue a Master from the Church, the men of the Church have made her singular life even more difficult than it was prior. They have killed her dogs - slaughtered them and left them on her porch in warning, sporadically come onto her land to harass her into rejoining the Church, and set watches over her and her land from a deer stand on a neighboring property. She also has to sneak conversations with the women from her family during the farmer's markets because venturing onto Church property to try to visit family could trap her.

But now, PsyLED has come to ask for her help with another paranormal matter.

With her powers growing in strange and somewhat frightening ways can she afford to help them? Can she afford NOT to help? Things are much more complicated than they first appear...

Like her writing for the Skinwalker series, Faith's writing is detailed, imaginative, and quick-paced. I love the vernacular used for the "Church-speak" in this book, and can't wait to hear how the voice talent treats Nell in the audio book version of this. I had trouble putting this book down - so it's a good thing I managed to catch a weekend with no work!

GIVEAWAY
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Unwanted Blog Tour! (Unwanted by Jennifer Estep)

I am SOOOO excited today!  I'm hosting my first ever blog tour stop, and it's for Jennifer Estep!  For those of you who aren't familiar with her work - why ever not?!  I haven't yet found a book she's written that I didn't like.  Her Bigtime series for adults is on my TBR pile.  My daughter has devoured her Mythos Academy series and Black Blade series (which I also got to read part of), and my all-time favorite is her Elemental Assassin series - I MAKE time to read anything Gin!  So let's get started!

UNWANTED

The New York Times bestselling Elemental Assassin series continues with a new e-novella--from the point of view of Finnegan Lane, the foster brother of Gin Blanco, and a fan favorite of readers of the series.

The fallout from his disastrous “family reunion” in Bitter Bite has left Finn feeling hurt, angry, and depressed. He can barely stand to look at himself in the mirror, much less eat any of the delicious barbecue from Gin’s famed Pork Pit restaurant.

But when the funeral for a slain security guard at his bank turns into a showdown with some nasty underworld giants, Finn knows that he must act in order to protect an innocent family.

Finnegan Lane might be the most unwanted man in Ashland these days, but he’s determined to try to make amends for his past mistakes…

Purchase at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Google Play | iBooks | Kobo

MY REVIEW
Long-time (and new) fans of Gin - have you ever wondered what Finn was TRULY thinking?  Here's your chance to find out!

After the (deserved) death of his mother, Finn is having trouble with self-recriminations and guilt.  He is unwanted.  His co-workers have all made it plain that they blame him for his mother's crimes and the death of so many of his co-workers.  His boss has insisted he attend every single funeral - not that he wouldn't have on his own.  New security measures are now in place at the bank - for obvious reasons - and, in general, he is having trouble moving on. 

Enter a grieving widow with a young son, and a big-time issue due to her brother-in-law.  Finn learns of her trouble and offers to help, but - like the rest of the people his work-related life - she blames him for her husband's death and refuses it.  He doesn't care, and does his planning anyway.  Finn's not an elemental, but he was raised by his father - an assassin - and has helped Gin out enough times to know what and how to plan.

You'll have to read the novella to find out the rest!  And, I suggest you do that now!

While short, (It IS a novella folks!) Unwanted packs an emotional punch like any of this series.  There is always a twist that it is hard to see coming.  Jennifer's attention to detail and imagination are a true pleasure to read no matter the length of the work.

TOUR STOPS

Don't forget to check out the rest of the Tour stops:

7/11 - Books and Things (review + giveaway)

7/12 - DianaMCKiaradB (review + Q&A)

7/14 - Rantings of a Reading Addict (review + giveaway)

7/15 - Lily Element Book Reviews (review), Urban Fantasy Investigations (giveaway)

7/17 - The Book Crumb Trail (review + giveaway), Diane’s Book Blog (Q&A)

7/18 - A Book Fanatic Obsession (review + Q&A), Bambi Unbridled (review + giveaway)

7/19 - Bookish Things & More (review + giveaway), Slippery Words (review + giveaway)

7/20 - Mary Hughes (Q&A + giveaway), The Book Nympho (review + giveaway)

7/21 - Goldilox and the Three Weres (review + giveaway), The Reading Addict (Q&A + giveaway)

7/22 - Books That Hook (review + giveaway)

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jennifer has a giveaway for 5 copies of BITTER BITE (5 winners!) and a $25 Amazon gift card! Open to US residents only. One winner per household. Contest ends July 25th at midnight EST. 

JENNIFER ESTEP

Jennifer Estep is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.

Jennifer writes the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series for Pocket Books. Unwanted, e-novella #14.5 in the series, will be released on July 18. Unraveled, book #15, will be released on Aug. 30.

Jennifer also writes the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series. She is also the author of the Black Blade young adult urban fantasy series and the Bigtime paranormal romance series.

For more information on Jennifer and her books, visit www.jenniferestep.com or follow Jennifer on Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.

LIAM (The Riley Adamson Epilogues) by Shannon Mayer

LIAM by Shannon Mayer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

**I received an ebook in exchange for an honest review.**
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Honestly? My only complaint is how quick I read it! Tears were shed, but they were (mostly) good tears. Shannon has another treasure of a story on her hands!

Liam has chased after Riley for years; suspected her, hated her, commiserated with her, and loved her. Now, after the battle that could have ended the world, he needs to find peace within himself so that they can move forward together.

The triplets are sick - dying - and only Liam and Levi can save them by finding them an ogre wet nurse. As with any of Riley's adventures there is no plan other to find the wet nurse and get her back to the triplets... in under 48 hours. Oh, and did I mention in some of THE most hostile territory they've ever been in?!

Shannon's ability to draw the reader in continues in this book, but with a twist - it's Liam speaking this time - not Riley! Don't miss out on another awesome piece of Riley's world. Snag LIAM now!

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The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase by Wendy Mass

The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase by Wendy Mass
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received an e-book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
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I haven't managed to make it all the way through a children's book in a while, but this one?! Wow! I mean, what's not to like? Chocolate, young spies, adventure, mystery... If I could have kept my eyes open longer at night this would have been finished much faster, but alas - life gets in the way.

This was a VERY well-written story. I am planning to go back and read the first book in the series as soon as I have a chance - I hadn't read it yet so you do not need to have read the first book to enjoy the second. This plot is reminiscent of a cross between Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and a Nancy Drew/Hardy Boy adventure.

I love how the story is told from varying points of view so that you get a more well-rounded idea of the details, and the verbiage is very detailed letting your imagination paint a vivid picture as you read. I would strongly recommend this series to any fans of the aforementioned series as well as any youngster with an imagination. ;)

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Red Queen (The Chronicles of Alice #2) by Christina Henry

Red Queen by Christina Henry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

**I received an e-ARC from First to Read in exchange for an honest review.**
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"We might go to sleep and wake up to discover a madman with a knife leaning over us."
"I'm the madman with the knife," Hatcher said.

A darker twist on the classic Alice in Wonderland travels, Red Queen picks up a few months after Alice ends, with Alice & Hatcher attempting to find his daughter outside the walls of the city. As they travel through various environments - each of which has it's own treacheries.

This story was not my normal fare. There are overtones of paranormal and the fantastical, but it is still realistic enough that it doesn't read as a paranormal. It could be read by mature teens (in fact, my daughter read parts over my shoulder, and didn't understand why I said she might not want to), but adults will probably read more into the story than most teens would. Despite those things - the writing was good enough to keep me involved in the story.

I didn't love the book, but I did enjoy it, and would recommend it to others.

-Note: I have not yet read Alice so Red Queen can be read as a stand alone if desired.

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Bright Blaze of Magic by Jennifer Estep

Bright Blaze of Magic by Jennifer Estep
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

** I received an ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
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First, it is important to note is that while this is the third book in this series, it is the first one of the series that I have read. I was able to follow the plot line, and did not feel like I was "missing details" because of that fact. So, while I am sure it is MOST enjoyable to read this series in order - it is possible to read it out of order without feeling lost. My daughter had read - and loved - Cold Burn of Magic so I wanted to see what it was she loved. This was the first chance I got to look at the series. Being a big fan of Jennifer's writing in general and of the Elemental Assassin series specifically, I felt at home in Lila Merriweather's world.

What we have:
Lila
- a strong-willed, self-contained female protagonist
- an orphan (her mother has been killed and she's looking for vengeance) who has been taken under the wing of her mother's best friend and the head of the Sinclair family
- magically gifted in not just one, but two abilities (which she doesn't let most people know)
- a "Scooby" gang of friends who help her whenever possible
Devon
- her boyfriend
- heir and "bouncer" for his family - the Sinclairs
Deah
- her cousin (via her mother) and daughter to Victor Draconi (the villain)
Felix
- her cousin's boyfriend & member of the Sinclair family
The Monsters
- various magical creatures who have befriended Lila thanks to her mother's teachings

What they do:
Combine their skills and access to thwart Victor's plan to take control of all of the magical families of Cloudburst Falls.

This book is definitely YA - no sex, and the violence - while there - is not explicit. I enjoyed the story, and was reminded not only of Jennifer's protagonist, Gin, when reading about Lila, but also of the worlds created in Harry Potter and Narnia - where magical creatures abound in everyday life. I am now trying to find time in my reading schedule to go back and read the first 2 books in this series! I hope there are more to come! :)

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Rootbound by Shannon Mayer

Rootbound by Shannon Mayer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

**I received an ebook in exchange for an honest review.**
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"Oh, little Larkspur. Your desire to fit in, to be the good girl. It will be the death of you, I think."
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Lark has learned that the gem stones are not as safe as she though, and she must gather them up again. With Peta, Bella, and Shazer, Lark sets off once again to try to prevent the destruction of the world.

I love how this series twines with the Rylee Adamson series, and how Shannon always tries to be forthcoming about timelines between and among the two series. You can read one without the other, but... why would you?!

As always, Shannon's writing is detail-oriented, action-packed, and full of sarcastic wit - all of which are at the top of my list for "great reads" .

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Samantha Watkins by Aurelie Venem

Samantha Watkins by Aurélie Venem
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**I received an ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
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This book was a terrific read even though it took a little bit for me to get "into" the story. The writing style is quite a bit different from my typical reads, but that was refreshing.

This is the story of Sam - a quiet, fairly insular woman - who loses everything and in the process gains a whole new world. On the way home from her mundane job as a librarian she comes across something she was never meant to see, and in one fell swoop her whole world changes. Unable to return to her former life or risk death she must become a stronger, more confident version of herself.

It is well-told from Sam's point of view with plenty of detail and sub-plots as well as the main story to increase the reader's involvement in the storyline. I would love to read the next installment to see if the author manages to keep up the quality of the plot.

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RYLEE (The Rylee Adamson Epilogues) by Shannon Mayer

Rylee by Shannon Mayer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

**I received an ebook in exchange for an honest review.**
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OMGEEEEEEEE!! Rylee is back - taking names and kicking butt!

True fans all bawled buckets of tears when Blood of the Lost ended. But, because she screams so loudly in her author's head, now we get to see where Rylee has ended up a year later.

Rylee is having trouble transitioning from Tracker to daywalking vampire. When she transitioned she lost her tracking abilities and immunity. She has gained immense strength and healing abilities among other things, but to remain alive she now requires blood - something only a monster would require to her previous mindset - and that is causing her to question who she really is. Her fears and worries are holding her back from her patchwork family, and while the love remains as strong as ever her relationship with Liam is strained.

Enter a job... While she has either passed off to other family members - or completely rejected - most jobs for months now, this one calls to her. Liam agrees that she should do this job as a way of finding not only the lost girl, but also herself. Her investigation leads her into The Pit. And, of course, Rylee manages to find new friends along the way.

Another awe-inspiring chapter in the world of Rylee Adamson by Shannon Mayer! I can't wait to read more in the epilogues!

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