Blog Tour: Excerpt & Giveaway: Disconnect

Hey guys!  Be sure to enter the giveaway and drop in to visit the other blogs taking part in the tour; you can find the tour schedule here.

Title: Disconnect (Divided Worlds #1)
Author: Imran Siddiq
Publisher: Self-published
Released: 26th January 2013
Rating:
Purchase: Amazon UK / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Excerpt

The orange glow of internal lamps within Shantytown blurred above Zachary’s rush. The home he shared with his dad lay on the ground floor of a tower, a short distance from the entrance to the town.

He altered his grip of the supple package so as not to alert the attention of the beggars that lived along the gutter-trenches.  Yanking keys attached by string from a pocket, he undid four door-locks on his front door.  The inside offered a stove, table, and two chairs in the first section.  Opposing corridors in the middle led off to the two bedrooms and at the far end was the bits-and-pieces zone.  From behind ragged cloths attached to the corrugated iron-sheeted walls, he took a match from a box and lit the single lantern to illuminate the area above the table.  Shadows formed like creeping creatures, moving deeper into the dark at the rear.

He peered down at the contents of the saucepan on the single electric plate of the stove. Minced rabbit meat. Spores of white fluff covered it. A putrid smell, worse than the sewers, invaded his nostrils. With his thoughts attached to the Intercom, he’d trusted the claim that it was fresh meat when he bought it. Zachary retched. Nothing came out.

Shekhar’s seven Leo-coins would have purchased an armful of potatoes instead, but it’d been months since he’d consumed something worth chewing. Almost all his dad earned disappeared to the slumlords of District Two and the Resourcers, who didn’t deserve payment for their volt-line stealing induction coils.

With one cup from a tub of water into the saucepan, then, nostrils squeezed, he slid the lid over it.

Zachary drew back the curtain next to the stove.   Inside the alcove, a Haulage-404 droid hung mid-way from bolts secured to the wall.  The Haulages were ancien, labour-efficient droids used for construction purposes. Oblong headed with two circular eyes and a blocky plated jaw, the droid resembled a muscular human clad in copper armour.  With one defunct eye, its left arm removed, and nothing below its waist this was a little more complete than the one on Biro's table.  Skin.  Zachary wriggled the image from his mind as he stroked the droid's torso.  No - this was how droids were meant to be.  Metal and screws.

To the rear section of his home sat the Bombay core-generator. He often wondered how his bulky-framed dad managed to step over the toilet-hole to reach it. Five LEDs along the Bombay’s top remained empty. Zachary swapped two crocodile clips over, and then rotated the generator’s wheel. The LEDs remained unchanged, even after a third rotation.

“Come on.”

His dad had paid the Resourcers their twice-weekly charge – hadn’t he? Loosening his tense fingers, he banged the top of the generator. An internal component whirred as two of the LEDs lit up with a soft aqua tone.

“Next time you do that, I’ll shove my screwdriver in and dismantle you,” Zachary growled at it.

Back at the droid, Zachary took the coiled-tube that ran the length of his home from the stove’s socket. Clearing dust from an exposed chest-plate on the droid, he thrust the coiled-tube inward. A current sizzled along twisted circuitry. Tiny blue lights illuminated its functioning eye.

“Hello, Patch,” said Zachary pulling over a chair.

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Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway: Strength

Hey guys!  Today I'm so happy to be part of the tour for Strength by Carrie Butler.  You can find the rest of the tour stops here.  Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Title: Strength (Mark of Nexus #1)
Author: Carrie Butler
Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing
Released: 7th March 2013
Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Purchase: Amazon UK / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Usually when I read a book, I re-read the synopsis first, because by the time I've finally managed to get hold of it, I've forgotten what it's about.  If I don't read it, I find that before I can get too far in, I feel like I have to read it.  With Strength, however, I felt no such compulsion and as such, I had no idea what to expect going in, bar the fact that this was paranormal.  What I got, then, was a unique add to the paranormal genre, a healthy smearing of sizzling romance and a snarky protag who you can't help but love.

The rumour on campus is that Wallace Blake is not a sane person.  Stories circulate about what happened to his old roommate, and weird noises can be heard from his room in the evenings.  As such, everyone stays well away from him.  That is, until Rena Collins unwittingly crashes into him on her way to see a friend.  That encounter, accompanied by a couple others, leaves her intrigued.  He seems perfectly normal - and yet, there's something different about him.  Not his sanity.  But there are questions, such as how he leaves her with bruises after only minimal physical contact.  Soon she learns that he isn't human and now, somehow, she's landed herself in a situation that is soon going to spill into war.  She's being watched, and the only way for her and Wallace to make it out alive is by fighting.

I've been feeling, for want of a better word, somewhat dead lately, simply because things have been really hectic and intense for me.  But for the time I was reading Strength, I felt so much more awake.  With the very first page, Carrie Butler had me sitting up alert and reading keenly.  The scene you find yourself in upon opening the book is not a typical one.  In fact, there is little to be found here that is typical.  The paranormal element is certainly a different one.  I appreciated this, enjoying the revelation of Wallace's true identity and then finding out more about his family and the magic of his bloodline.  In reading Strength I found myself laughing frequently, annoyed every time I was forced to put it down.

This is in large part due to Rena.  Tough, sarcastic, funny, hers is a voice that will not fade quickly.  It's one that really does call out to you from the start.  Rena is not your average heroine.  She's not afraid to fight and doesn't simply end up paralysed every time she gets stuck in a difficult situation; nor does she give up.  Her sarcasm and wit make her all the more likeable, not to mention the fact that she ends up being funny without meaning to.  Added to all of this is her genuine concern for the people around her.  Wallace, too, is not simply a cardboard character.  A good guy surrounded by people who misunderstand him entirely, he suffers a lot of pain, both physical and emotional.  I was glad to see him finally have the chance to open up more and to really be supported by Rena.  He, in turn, supported her whenever she was feeling vulnerable.  Their relationship is a slow one, plagued by doubts and insecurities, but finally working its way to a positive end for both of them.

That's not to say this book didn't have flaws.  Because it definitely did.  There were character and plot issues that I found myself unhappy with, where certain things were overlooked or caused me confusion.  Early on there was also an element brought in that did have me concerned about where the story was heading, and I was thankful when it didn't go that way.  Yet at the same time, it made me wonder what its purpose was, because that particular line was never brought back.  Nor did I like Rena's friends, Gabby and Aiden.  Both irritated me for various reasons.

All in all, however, there is no denying that I thoroughly enjoyed reading Strength.  Despite my concerns, this is still something different, and I loved reading from Rena's perspective.  It was great as well to have a love interest who, while strong, dark and fierce, is not a bad boy.  I will certainly be keeping an eye out from now on to see what more Carrie Butler has to offer.

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Sometimes Never & Blackbird Blog Tour Kicks Off Monday!

Cheryl McIntyre is a mother, author, and insomniac, as well as a reader, movie critic, and incredibly bad singer. She’s lived in the same area of Ohio her whole life, though she secretly has dreams of moving somewhere a little warmer—preferably near a beach.

Her life revolves around four things: family, music, books, and really bad scary movies. If she doesn’t have a kid on her hip, an iPod in her hand, or a laptop in front of her face, it’s one of those rare moments when she’s actually sleeping.

You can follow her author page on Facebook where she lives part time. On Goodreads, which is like crack for avid readers. Or on Twitter, though it’s rumored she has yet to master the art of tweeting.

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Book Blast: Excerpt & Giveaway: Astarte's Wrath

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Astarte's Wrath is the companion novel to... 

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A peek inside Astarte's Wrath...

“I’ve found you.”

I turn to see Xarion leaning against the frame of my terrace door. A slight smile curves his beautiful lips, and his arms are crossed over his bronze muscled cuirass.

Feeling brave, I slip close and wrap my arms around his waist, the brass studs of his belt pressing against my stomach. “I wasn’t hiding,” I say, looking up into his face. I can see his exhaustion there, in the dark crescents under his eyes, though he’s putting on a good front. “I’d never tempt a great hunter.”

He chuckles as he steps away long enough to slip off his breastplate, then he embraces me. Leaning down, he whispers in my ear, “You’re always tempting.” Running his thumb over my cheek, he lowers his face before mine, his breaths shallow. “In fact, your power of seduction is having its desired effect on me right now.” His lips softly brush mine, sweet and inviting at first, then he deepens the kiss.

I realize that anyone could walk in, and I begin to pull away. “Xarion, my room is not secure,” I say between his kisses.

He groans against my lips, and the deep rumble sends my hands into his hair, pulling him to me. I feel him smile. He scoops me into his arms, his lips never leaving mine, and walks us inside.

My sense breaks through, and I whisper, “Lunia or Phoenix could come looking for me and—”

“That’s what locks were designed for,” he interrupts.

I laugh. “Oh, that will not stop either of them.”

He turns the bolt on my door, keeping his arm sturdy beneath my legs. Then he takes me to the bed where he lays me down. I let my head fall back against the coverlet as he hovers above me, his fisted hands pressing into the mattress on either side of my head, his knees parting my legs.

Suddenly he bounds up, and I think he’s come to his senses. My stomach tumbles as I realize how much I don’t want him to be responsible—but we can’t chance it here. Only he grabs the chair from my desk and kicks the back. My eyes widen in surprise. He places one of the panels against the door, securing its ends in the torch brackets.

“That should give them some difficulty,” he says as he unbuckles his belt, the action making my heart beat wildly. “And give me enough time to hide in your dressing room like a clandestine lover.”

A smile twitches at my lips. “You mean, like exactly what you are?”

Shaking his head, his dark hair falling against his eyes, he counters, “I’m offended.” He strips off his leather armor. I pull my bottom lip between my teeth as my eyes slip over him, and a crooked smile hikes his face. “Ah, but that does it for you, huh? You like stealing kisses in the shadows, the constant fear of being caught.” Climbing onto the bed, he positions himself above me. “I bet your heart is pounding hard right now, the adrenaline claiming your body”—he presses his palm over my heart—“with a need only your clandestine lover can satisfy.”

About the author...

I’m the author of the YA Steampunk DESTINY'S FIRE (Omnific Publishing), the upcoming YA Utopian FIREBLOOD (Spencer Hill Press, Oct. 2013), and a new YA Dark Fantasy series releasing June 2013, OF SILVER AND BEASTS.

I’m the creator of YA Bound, a promotional blog for the Young Adult genre. A proud member of the SCWW and The Apocalypsies. And I’m also a business owner, partnered with my partner, my husband. When I’m not busy doing all of the above, I’m a wife and the mother of a gorgeous teen boy who's the sounding board for my male characters.

Check out my website TrishaWolfe.com for more on my books and bonus material. You can also follow me on Twitter @TrishWolfe or like my Facebook page for updates. 

 

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Cover Reveal: The Wicked Within & Giveaway

Blurb coming soon!

Release: September 17th 2013!

Hardcover, 320 pages

Expected publication: September 17th 2013 by Simon Pulse

Other books in the series...

Love this cover!  In a way it's quite simple, and I love the use of the mask, especially with that snake.  I can't wait to read this.  What do you guys think?

To celebrate the reveal Kelly is giving away a copy of Darkness Becomes Her and A Beautiful Evil, book one and two in the series. Best part? It's open international!

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Review: Legacy of the Clockwork Key

Title: Legacy of the Clockwork Key (Secret Order of Modern Amusementists #1)
Author: Kristin Bailey
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Released: 5th March 2013
Rating: 2 of 5 stars

I hate writing negative reviews.  And it pains me to say that for a book I was quite looking forward to, this was a major letdown.  When I was thinking about what I wanted to include in this review, I struggled to come up with much that was positive.  My experience with this book was pretty much: let's just get this over with.

Meg's life now is that of a maid, a complete contrast to the comfortable lifestyle she led before her parents died and Lord Rathford took her in.  All she has left of her family and her past life is an old pocket watch.  But one day she realises that it's not actually a pocket watch.  It's a key, one that only she can use.  It leads her to the discovery of a secret society made up of select members - including her parents.  And with this discovery comes the knowledge that someone is murdering members of that society, and it all links back to a dangerous invention made some time ago.  Meg finds herself suddenly involved in a whole new world, in which secrecy and danger play a significant part.

Meg, I think, was my biggest issue.  I disliked her almost immediately.  Whiny and selfish at worst, impulsive and irrational at best, she really annoyed me.  She didn't actually think about what she was doing, her reasons for jumping into things were all wrong, and her attraction to Will came out of nowhere.  Near the opening of the book, after first meeting the stable hand, she would continually go to him with whatever problem she suddenly faced, or whatever new bright idea she had.  All I could think was, why?   Why are you trying to involve him in things that have nothing to do with him?  All it could possibly do was bring him trouble.  Will himself I liked marginally better, but I felt no spark between them.  Their relationship was tenuous and exasperating.  For me, Lucinda was a far better character.  She had spunk, spark and life.  Yes, I'm aware they basically equate to the same thing.  But that just emphasises how much character she has in comparison to Meg!  Lucinda was actually pretty funny and I liked her daring nature.

The plot, sadly, did little to redeem the book.  I love steampunk, and I loved all the different inventions that had been thought of.  There was definitely some originality there.  But some of those inventions were complex to the point where I couldn't really imagine them properly.  More than that, I wanted to know how they worked.   How were they able to do all these amazing things?  The storyline became repetitive and consisted of one simple layer.  Even in the opening, after the first few pages I was unconvinced by what was happening, having too many questions going around in my head.  I did actually have to really force myself to read this by the time I was a quarter of the way through.  There was so much potential here, but unfortunately the book was sorely lacking.

Legacy of the Clockwork Key was massively disappointing, though somehow I still can't say whether I can find it in me to read the sequel.  I'm curious about the murderer, and yet I'm not sure it's worth coming back to the series, so chances are I probably won't.  Characters like Lucinda and Oliver helped liven it up a bit, but ultimately I'm sorry to say that this was not a book that worked out for me.

Review: Pantomime

Title: Pantomime
Author: Laura Lam
Publisher: Strange Chemistry
Released: 5th February 2013
Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

I had my eyes on Pantomime for quite a while before I got the chance to read it.  Just by looking at it and reading the synopsis, it's easy to see that this is not something you come across very often - a story against the backdrop of a circus.  A world that seems almost beyond time itself, where you will find references to the Alder and the Vestige and Penglass, and a more specific setting in the city of Ellada.  While Pantomime was by no means perfect, it was enjoyable nonetheless.

It is difficult to say anything about what the book is about without spoiling anything.  Even while I was reading the book I was wondering how I could possibly write this review without giving anything away.  The description provided is misleading, but in the best possible way.  I don't really see how the author could have worked around it, either.  Meeting Gene and Micah was a wonderful experience; reading from both perspectives showed them to be likeable characters. I enjoyed seeing Gene rebel against society's expectations of her, doing more of what were considered to be boyish activities.  Her home life was not at all easy and I was very sympathetic towards her.  Micah's love of the circus and determination to work hard to become something more than just an outsider in the eyes of those working in the circus was also appreciable.

Of course the thing that sets Pantomime apart is the world in which the story takes place.  Laura Lam's mind is clearly an incredible place to be.  It kind of makes me wish it was real, so I could physically experience it for myself.  But let's move on from my weirdness.  The setting is very complex.  It's magical, it's mysterious, there's this idea that perhaps it's set at some point in the future.  At the same time there's this sort of Victorianism to the way society is set out and how it works, the idea of markets and trade and merchants.  It's very hard to pinpoint when this might actually be taking place.  And while this world is amazing, and while I did truly love seeing the circus, in some ways it was all almost too much.  I wanted to know more about the Alders.  Who were they?  I wanted to know more about the Vestige, artefacts from the time the Alders were living.  With the Penglass, I found it difficult to imagine.  Maybe it was just me, but that was something else that made it difficult for me to completely connect with the book.

One thing that did surprise me was how early on the plot twist came.  After a moment of confusion I suddenly realised what I'd just read and then checked back to a couple of reviews to see if that was actually the twist.  The twist itself is ingenious.  It's something that hasn't been broached before and it introduces key themes.  The way that Lam dealt with it was expert.  It did mean that not a great deal happened for a long time, but this wasn't a particularly massive issue.  The ending was a lot better in terms of pacing, and I quite liked the turn the story took, presenting a wonderful opening for the sequel.  The presence of romance also ties into a couple of the issues that the plot twist brings in, and it's certainly something that gets you thinking.

Trying to write this review was somewhat tricky, and I'm aware it's not exactly one of my finest.  But despite the issues that the book presents, it's still worth reading, at the very least for the originality it brings.  There are a diverse range of characters to meet, and quite a bit of mystery, so in some ways you do get a lot.  I definitely will be reading the sequel.