Review: Ignited by A.M. Deese

Ignited

by

A.M. Deese

Genre:

YA

Release Date: March 2018

RadiantTeen

Ignited by A.M. Deese

Genre: YA

Release Date: March 2018

Published by: Radiant Teen

Cover Design: Desiree DeOrto

https://www.desireedeortodesigns.com/

Blurb:

A NOBLE DAUGHTER.

A FORMER SLAVE.

SCORCHED EARTH AND DANGEROUS GAMES.

“Jura imagined it sounded like rain.”


Juggling death is nothing new for seventeen-year-old Jura, daughter of the First of the Thirteen, successive rulers of the Republic of the Sand Sea. However, when a blood chain ensnares her father, she is thrust into the seat of power and forced to rule her elders.

“To Tylak, water had never tasted sweeter.”

Jura must track down her father’s assassin and balance a country on the verge of collapse. To find the Prince of Shadows and uncover the truth, Jura puts her trust in Tylak, a former slave accused of stealing from the Everflame—a man she once condemned to death.

In a world where water is currency and enemies lurk around every corner, Jura will use her wits or risk igniting a world war.

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You can pre-order from Radiant Crown Publishing, LLC and Google Play

Author Bio:

Alexis Marrero Deese is an avid reader of young adult and fantasy. Her favorite authors include Brandon Sanderson, Jaqueline Carey, and Orson Scott Card. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and a sun tan she misses dearly since her move to northern Georgia. She has a passion for cooking, spends entirely too much time on Pinterest, and is a self-proclaimed dog training expert to her family’s legion of dogs.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

My Review:

This book opened with an awkward teen dealing with a tricky political situation in the absence of her father, the most politically prominent man in their land. The book was set in a lavishly built fantasy world that had a bit of a Persian feel to it. The lore of the story intrigued me and kept me wanting more. This story was chock full of mystery, political intrigue, danger, magic, murder, kidnapping, dragons, and teen angst. It had some unexpected characters who ended up being some of my favorites like Beshar a middle-aged, overweight brilliant master of secrets and Kay, a powerful fire mage who also happened to be a 7 yr old. Reading from their perspectives was fun and different, especially in a YA book. I'm anxiously waiting for the next book in this exciting new series.

**Five Stars**

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Blog Tour: Weird and Wonderful by Cece Barlow

Weird and Wonderful
by Cece Barlow
Genre: YA Contemporary Fiction
Release Date: February 13th 2017

Blurb:

Gin Autry must finish the last semester of high school in eclectic Austin with her hippie grandmother while Gin’s brother waits for heart surgery in Houston.

Instability reigns, but Gin uses the principles of feng shui to find balance and send positive energy to her brother. She also secretly hopes her voice-over actress dream will advance and true love will show up.

Instead, she falls for the wrong guy and clings to the wrong dream. Nothing in Gin’s life is balanced, but when death threatens her brother, she discovers true balance is about listening, compromise, and the guy in the friend zone.  

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Buy Link: Amazon

Excerpt:

"Still mad about what I said about your vlog?" Aaron smiled at me and stroked my cheek. The brilliance of his smile was marred by his grotesque red eye and the swelling on his cheekbone. "Why do you care so much what I think? You have a dream. You shouldn't let my opinion or anyone else's sway you from it."

"But your opinion is important to me," I said.

"But it shouldn't be necessary for you to chase after a dream." He brushed back my hair and tucked it behind my ears. "If you want to be a voice-over actress, do it. Don't wait for me to put a seal of approval on your dream."

About the Author:

Cece Barlow writes books for young adults and the young at heart. She's a dash of fun, mixed in with some smart cookie and a splash of capable. She started her first fan fiction group in junior high and never stopped writing. Today, she writes about girls with lofty dreams and about the absolute craziness of falling in love.

When Cece's not writing, she curls up with a book, heads to a popcorn blockbuster, or kicks back to watch shooting stars. If she sees the moon in the daytime, she thinks she's lucky.

Cece lives in College Station, Texas with her college sweetheart Tim and two cats - one evil and one good.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter

Why I Write about Ordinary Girls (From the Author)

I write fun and heartfelt stories, but I also have a mission. I tell stories about girls whose lives are continual shuffled to the side in today's literature. I love blue collar teens. These girls do not work at trendy cupcake shops or as mystery-solving detectives. They have jobs, that require elbow grease, humiliation, and perseverance. They work construction, fast food, grocery stores, and bowling alleys. Their lives are not focused on high school. They often have tough times at home, usually a function of failing health (mental and physical), drug addiction, and poverty.

The socio-economically privileged girl doesn't interest me. My girl is ordinary, and she plans to fix her own problems. She is trying to figure everything out (love and life) just like everyone else. She hungers for an education, but knows a mountain of debt is coming her way. She's making serious missteps in life because she is innocent and inexperienced, but my girl is also finding the grace of reinvention. Her life is valuable and worthy. I hope that you join me in my celebration of the ordinary girl. I hope you celebrate the everyday life.

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Blog Tour: Breakwater by Catherine Jones Payne

Breakwater

by Catherine Jones Payne

Genre: YA Fantasy/Mermaids

Release Date: May 30th, 2017

Fathom Ink Press

Blurb:

A red tide is rising.

Jade, a seventeen-year-old mermaid in the underwater city of Thessalonike, finds her world upended when her fiancé murders a naiad. As tensions surge between the mer and the naiads, Jade must navigate murky waters, negotiating her responsibilities as the daughter of one of the king's most trusted advisors and her budding friendship with a naiad. But as she tries to fight the tide of anger in a city that lives for scandal, she discovers that danger lurks in every canal. If she fails to mend the divisions between their worlds, the upwelling of hate will threaten to rip apart everything she loves.  

Author Links:

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Excerpt:

As we crossed the threshold, I noted with chagrin that we were indeed the first people at the party. “Told you so,” I whispered to Rhea.

“Jade, how delightful to see you,” my new mother-in-law, Yvonna, said with a graceful smile.

I smiled back at her, trying to hide my discomfort. I never quite knew what to say to Yvonna. While she seemed pleased enough about the engagement, I’d always suspected she personally disliked me.

“I’m so happy to be here,” I said. “You have such a lovely home.”

It was true. Their home was twice as large as ours and decorated in the same style as the king’s own reception hall. On the far wall, a trio of silver filigree dolphins—life-sized— chased a school of gold fish. Eight hundred and forty-five fish, to be precise. I’d counted them during a particularly insufferable party the month before.

We stared at each other in silence for a full ten seconds before I asked, “Is Tor around?”

“I believe he’s in the courtyard. Go in peace.”

“Thank you.” I bowed. “Peace be upon you.” I grabbed Rhea’s hand, and we drifted toward the back door.

“Oh!” Rhea whispered in my ear, looking behind us just as her fingers curled around the door handle. “Philip’s coming in! He’s perfect for making Theo jealous. See you later.”

She released the door handle and swooped down on poor, unsuspecting Philip.

I suppressed a smile.

Leave it to Rhea. With her beautiful face and all her machinations, it was a wonder she wasn’t engaged yet. Of course, she’s not as well-connected as I am. I can’t assume it’s as easy for her as it was for me.

With a final glance backward, I pushed my way into the well-appointed courtyard. Daring red anemone lined the walls just above three thin lines of bioluminaries that cast a romantic purple light on the scene.

I smiled and bit my lip. A battalion of tiny sea horses hovered around a feeder to my right.

Movement in the corner of my eye caught my attention, near Yvonna’s prized fire coral garden at the corner of the house on the far side of the courtyard. I swam toward it. “Tor?”

When I reached the fire coral, I stopped short and locked eyes with Tor. My whole body trembled. In one arm, he held the dead body of a red-haired naiad girl.

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Buy links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2qqZOfd

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/breakwater-catherine-jones-payne/1126422317?ean=9781946693006

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/breakwater-9

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Blog Tour: To Betray My King by Kayla Lavan

To Betray My King

by Kayla Lavan

Genre: YA Romance/Fantasy

Release Date: May 1st 2017

Blurb:

Would you choose to save your kingdom or follow your heart?

Brave and kindhearted, Arianna is a princess of a kingdom that nobody wants. The magicless. Marrying the charming, flirtatious, and egotistical Prince Roland was the last thing either of them wanted, but for the sake of their people they agreed. War breaks out with the neighboring kingdom, forcing the prince’s hand to join in the fight. He leaves his new wife with the only man he trusts, his childhood friend, a dutiful, strong, and handsome knight.

A sweet romantic tale of forbidden love in a dark fanatical world.

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Buy Link: Amazon

Excerpt:

The next morning Conrad went to Roland's room, only to find the prince sitting outside of the door, sleeping. Conrad smirked. With swift kick against his shoulder, the prince fell onto the floor with a thud. Roland groaned, rubbing his face as he sat up.

"I see the princess has been keeping true to her vow to punish you whenever you do something stupid."

"Quite the jester you are this morning." He gave a slow mocking laugh and got to his feet. "Her being so jealous was rather adorable, but last night she wasn't cute at all." He rubbed his sore back. "She kicked me out of my own bed and threw me in the hall!"

"Good." Conrad's smirk grew, enjoying his pain. "Maybe it will teach you a lesson, and remind you that you are a married man."

"I might be married, but it doesn't mean I have to ignore every woman for the rest of my life."

"That's exactly what that means."

"That's absurd--" The door opened, smacking the prince in the face. Roland groaned, bringing his hand up to his nose.

The princess smiled. "Hello Conrad."

He greeted back with a nod. "Princess."

She noticed Roland. With an angry huff, she stuck her nose in the air and went down the hall. Conrad patted Roland on the back. "You are married now, get used to unfair things."

About the Author:

I've been writing half of my life, starting at the ripe old age of 13. Back then my favorite pass time was doodling in class, sleeping in class, and studying tests or homework that was due the next class period. But by night I lead a secret life. I would go home, turn on my computer, and get on my dialup Internet (which makes me sound really old) and I would write. At first it was for fun. I was brave back then and posted everything online. In the 14 years I have been writing, I have posted over 1.5 million words, all of which is still available to read for free. My most well known story being "Fun 'N' Games at Ouran". A year or so ago I posted a one-shot that was 50k-60k in words. Afterwards, I looked at it laughing, and said to myself "I think I would like to get paid for this now" and then 'To Betray My King' was born. It seems so simple as I'm sitting here, typing this for you to read, but it's the truth. 'Betray' is my first book, but it won't be my last. I love writing. I would never give it up for anything in the world.

Author Links:

Website│Twitter│Facebook│Goodreads

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Book Blitz: At First Blush by Beth Ellyn Summer

Synchrony Book Blitz and Blog Tour Sign Up

I will be running a Book Blitz through YA Bound for my new release Synchrony, the second book in the Destiny Trilogy. You can sign up here. It will run for seven days: from the release day of April 8 until April 15.

The blog tour will be hosted by Lola's Blog Tours. It will run from May 5-25. You can sign up here

Release Day Book Blitz: Twelve Steps By Veronica Bartles

Twelve Steps

by Veronica Bartles

Release Date: 03/25/14

Book Summary:

Sixteen-year-old Andi is tired of being a second-class sibling to perfect sister Laina. There in Laina's shadow, Andi's only noticeable feature is her pretty awesome hair. And even that is eclipsed by Laina's perfect everything else.

When Andi’s crush asks her to fix him up with Laina, Andi decides enough is enough and devises a twelve-step program to wrangle the spotlight away from Laina. After all, great hair must count for something.

Step 1: Admit she’s powerless to change her perfect sister, and accept that her life really, really sucks. OK, maybe that's two steps in one.

Step 4: Make a list of her good qualities besides great hair. There have got to be at least three good qualities, right?

Step 7: Demand attention for more than just her shortcomings, and break out of her shell. Easier said that done, but worth the effort in the long-run. 

When a stolen kiss from her crush ends in disaster, Andi finds that her prince isn’t as charming as she'd hoped, and realizes she may need a new program--perhaps with less steps!

As cracks in Laina’s flawless façade begin to show, the sisters work together to find a spotlight big enough for both to shine.

About the Author

As the second of eight children and the mother of four, Veronica Bartles is no stranger to the ups and downs of sibling relationships. (She was sandwiched between the gorgeous- and-insanely-popular older sister and the too-adorable-for-words younger sister.) She uses this insight to write stories about siblings who mostly love each other, even while they’re driving one another crazy.   When she isn’t writing or getting lost in the pages of her newest favorite book, Veronica enjoys knitting fabulous bags and jewelry out of recycled plastic bags and old VHS tapes, sky diving (though she hasn’t actually tried that yet), and inventing the world’s most delectable cookie recipes.  TWELVE STEPS is Veronica Bartles's first novel.

Author Links:
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  Excerpt:

The scent of buttered popcorn fills the air, and my mouth waters as I step into line with Summer

and Emily to buy our tickets for Fiero Furious. I don’t see Jarod or his friends, but the movie 

starts in ten minutes. They’re probably already inside.

“Hey, Andi. What’s up?” Dave appears in line behind me.

“Are you following me now?” I take a half-step away from him, carefully maneuvering so that 

Emily stands as a buffer between us. 

He laughs and points to the long line forming behind him. “I guess, if getting in line behind you 

means I’m following you, then I’m guilty as charged. But so are about thirty other people.”

I cross my arms and turn my back on him. “Whatever. I just think it’s awfully coincidental that 

you happen to show up right after we get in line.”

“You’re right. I planned it. Because it’s completely unbelievable that two random people could 

both want to go to the movies. On a Friday night. At the only good theater in town.”

“Hey, Dave, what’s up?” Summer asks, giving me her patented, exaggerated eye roll. I can 

practically hear her thoughts screaming at me. What are you so afraid of? Dave’s harmless. It’s 

not like he’s going to attack you right here in the middle of the mall. But she wasn’t there when 

Dave tried to kiss me in the coat closet after recess in fourth grade. She’d be freaked out too if 

some guy had been flirting with her nonstop since they were nine years old, even though she kept 

telling him she wasn’t interested.

Dave is totally following me. I’d bet anything that he was listening to our conversation in the 

cafeteria. I bet he doesn’t even like race car movies, and he’s only here because he wanted a 

chance to “accidentally” run into me. And if Summer can’t see what a creepy stalker he is, I’ll 

just have to prove it.

I give Dave a million-megawatt smile. “What movie are you going to see?” 

He blushes and points to a little boy who’s probably about four years old hiding behind his leg. 

“My aunt and uncle are visiting, and I promised my cousin I’d take him to see Ninja Unicorn 

Strikes Back. He’s a little shy, so my aunt always worries that he isn’t socialized enough. Not

sure that hanging out with his old cousin counts, but he’s a cool kid, so it’s all good. What are 

you here for?”

Very clever. Of course he’d choose a different movie, so he could pretend to be all innocent. 

And I have to give him bonus points for bringing along a decoy kid. I bend down and wave at the 

cute, little mini-Dave. “You like ninja unicorns?”

The little boy nods solemnly and releases his death grip on Dave’s pant leg. 

I glance at Dave and then smile at the kid. “How long did Dave make you wait around for us to 

show up before you got into line?” That’s one thing Dave didn’t count on. Kids always tell the 

truth. He is so busted.

The little boy smiles and pats my cheek. “You have lots and lots of freckles,” he says.

I stand up quickly and cover my face with my hands. Summer and Emily are laughing so hard 

they’re practically rolling on the floor. “Well, it was nice meeting you,” I say and shuffle 

forward as the line slowly advances, leaving my friends to fend for themselves. 

Dave scoops the demon kid up and closes the gap between us. “We think your freckles are

adorable.” He hugs the kid. “Don’t we?”

The little boy nods. “I like freckles.”

***GIVEAWAY***

1 ebook of Twelve Steps & $10 Amazon gift card (INT)

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Book Blitz: When Stars Die by Amber Skye Forbes

When Stars Die
by Amber Forbes
Release Date: 10/22/13

Summary from Goodreads:
Amelia Gareth's brother is a witch and the only way to save her family from the taint in his blood is to become a professed nun at Cathedral Reims. However, in order to become professed, she must endure trials that all nuns must face.

Surviving these trials is not easy, especially for Amelia, who is being stalked by shadowy beings only she can see. They're searching for people they can physically touch, because only those they can touch can see them. Amelia soon learns why she is being stalked when she accidentally harms her best friend with fire during the third trial. Fire is a witch's signature. The shadows are after witches.

Now Amelia must decide what to do: should she continue on her path to profession knowing there is no redemption, or should she give up on her dream and turn away from Cathedral Reims in order to stop the shadows who plan to destroy everything she loves?

Available from:

 

About the Author

Amber Skye Forbes is a dancing writer who prefers pointe shoes over street shoes, leotards over skirts, and ballet buns over hairstyles. She loves striped tights and bows and will edit your face with a Sharpie if she doesn't like your attitude. She lives in Augusta, Georgia where she writes dark fiction that will one day put her in a psychiatric ward...again. But she doesn't care because her cat is a super hero who will break her out.

Author Links:
   

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