The Rise of the Phoenix (A Society Novel) by Mason Sabre

Cast out by his own family after a wolf’s bite infects him, a young thirteen-year-old boy is forced to roam the streets and fend for himself. In a world of Humans and Others, he belongs to neither. No longer considered Human, but nor a purebred Other, a race of powerful supernatural beings, he will be unwanted and hunted by both.
Danger lurks at every turn. Young, vulnerable and afraid, he tries to come to terms with the physical changes taking place in him while at the same time trying to find a way to survive.
In a menacing world filled with threats and hate, is there any hope of salvation for this orphaned fledgling?

Please note, this is a Society Short.

If you're really looking to read something that is emotionally alluring and well written, but do not have the time, this is the story for you! It's not a romance and it is very much a tragedy told from a young boy's point of view as his life is altered by one poor choice any kid in his position might have made.  The author captured a young teenagers reasoning skills perfectly and adeptly portrayed cause and effects patterns that reflects back to the horrible characteristics of own modern society. There is bullying, abuse, and manipulation involved. And of course, fear or childish curiosity of the unknown.  I look forward to finding out where the story leads and I'll definitely be reading more by this author. 5 Stars!

The Magic Queen by Jovee Winters

Baba Yaga is probably the darkest of all the queens. An unrepentant bad girl, she has no time for men, or something as pedestrian as love. Too bad Calypso and Aphrodite never got that memo. They've decided to make the witch their pet project. Baba's choice is simple, fall in love with the male they found her, or die. She'd laugh, except for the little fact that they're totally serious. But Baba has never been a quitter, she'll go to that male, she'll even willingly go through the goddesses ridiculous "games," what she won't do is fall in love. At least, those were her plans until she stared into the ice blue eyes of a Viking god and realized her life would never be the same again...

Baba Yaga is probably the darkest of all the queens. An unrepentant bad girl, she has no time for men, or something as pedestrian as love. Too bad Calypso and Aphrodite never got that memo. They've decided to make the witch their pet project. Baba's choice is simple, fall in love with the male they found her, or die. She'd laugh, except for the little fact that they're totally serious. But Baba has never been a quitter, she'll go to that male, she'll even willingly go through the goddesses ridiculous "games," what she won't do is fall in love. At least, those were her plans until she stared into the ice blue eyes of a Viking god and realized her life would never be the same again...

November 9 by Colleen Hoover

Beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover returns with an unforgettable love story between a writer and his unexpected muse.

Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.

Can Ben’s relationship with Fallon—and simultaneously his novel—be considered a love story if it ends in heartbreak?

REVIEW

Did you know there is such a thing as a genre-snob? Me neither! That is, until I read this book. I discovered that I have been prejudiced against contemporary romance and cheating myself out of beautiful,  emotionally havoc wreaking stories that could I could easily become addicted to! 

November 9 is the first time I've read anything by Colleen Hoover. I mean sure, I've heard her name more times than I could count and yes, she comes highly recommended as an author, but why?

I only have this book to go by, but it's all I've needed to completely change my perspective on genres.  It was immediately intriguing,  and mysterious without the constant allusion to the mystery which in turn created a pretty amazing plot twist. The characters are jaded and so very vulnerable that at times I forgot I was reading a fictitious story! I fell in love with feel good moments of the story in the beginning and stayed on for the love that quickly developed for the characters. Ibtgibk what shocked me the most is that the story was highly entertaining all the way through to the end.  I would give this more than 5 stars if I could and it is safe to say I am now a Colleen Hoover fan. I cannot wait to buy more books written by her! Pick it up! I guarantee you won't regret it!

Review Tour: SkinWalker Series by T.G. Ayer

Skin Deep: A New Adult Urban Fantasy Novel (DarkWorld: SkinWalker Book 1)

Abandoned by her mother and raised by her aloof Alpha father, panther shifter Kailin Odel has

finally found a way to feel like she makes a difference. Discovering her unique power to track

Wraith's, Kailin moonlights as a Hunter - ridding the streets of Chicago of these soul-sucking

demons. Her human friends have no idea the supernatural worlds exists alongside theirs. No

idea shifter and demons walk in the shadows. And Kai prefers to keep it that way.

Until she discovers the body of a murdered shifter, and is quickly embroiled in a world of

supernatural drug-dealing and renegade shifters who leave a trail of blood and mayhem

wherever they go.

When Logan Westin, paranormal investigator and super-hot human, begins investigating the

murder Kai refuses to allow her feelings to control her. Humans are off-limits, no matter how

sizzlingly sexy they are. But can Kai keep him at bay? And does she even want to?

In her quest to find the killer Kai inadvertently puts her friends' life in danger and brings her to

the attention of the sadistic shifter killer. Her comfortable life is gone, her friend murdered, and

shifters are disappearing around her. To survive and to save her friends, Kai must allow herself

to trust Logan, to give her scarred heart to someone again.

Warning: Mature reader recommendation- this book contains violence & torture.

https://smile.amazon.com/Skin-Deep- Fantasy-DarkWorld- SkinWalker-ebook/dp/B00CKGOKY4

Skin Deep is a desirable journey. One does not merely enjoy this book. Instead, each page is turned with fervor and the knowledge that more pleasure will come the further the venture. The characters are intriguing and the desire to learn more of them is adamant. The transition of dialogue between the primary characters is flawless. I highly praise the author for so much diverse research applied to the story. There is not an onslaught of useless information to take up space. The plot is complex, yet simple to follow. The romantic scenes are more felt than read. Then, the reader has to return to them time and time again with the refusal to tame their own hyperactive heart. Everyone has their secrets, and the more the truth is forced to surface the tighter bonds are forged. The heroine, level-headed, yet feisty and ferocious, is the epitome of strength and compassion we all wish to harness for ourselves. She is admirable to say the least. Our hero, hidden behind a mask of heart-wrenching secrets, is desirable to say the very, very least!

The characters are each unique. The story is unique and easily visualized and felt. The plot is thorough and well-grounded. Other than a couple of spelling errors, I believe it qualifies for a best-seller status! Don't miss out on pure and unalderated bliss. This book is every reader's dream!

Lost Soul: A New Adult Urban Fantasy (DarkWorld:SkinWalker Book 2)

The things that go bump in the night are real

With her sister missing and her mother and Anjelo stuck in the Wraith World, Kai must find a

way to save them all. But the Wraith poison has brought her to her knees and only Logan's fire

can help ease her pain.



A sister stuck in the Dead Lands

Uncertain who to rescue first, Kai's decision is made for her when she discovers her sister Greer

is stuck in the Greylands and slowly going insane. Desperate to save her, Kai will go to

incredible lengths to obtain a portal key to the land of the dead - and maybe, she'll go one step

too far.

Who will betray her?

From Death-talkers to demons, trackers to ghosts, Kai must fight against betrayal and evade the

clutches of danger to set her sister free. Can she save Greer from a horrific death - and will she

ever be able to forgive herself if she can't?
https://amazon.com/gp/product/B00I4YBLIE

Lost Soul left me utterly speechless. The contents vehemently aroused a variety of emotional allures that dominated my time and existence. Author T.G. Ayer has, once again, written a persuasive novel deserving the highest praise.

It seems the prose is slightly deceptive. The sentence structures are so simple that a reader would not expect a plot so meticulously woven.

The characters in the storyline are diverse in regards to many mythological beings belonging to one story. Though, at times, it feels their diverse nature's cause a slight unease, the story doesn't linger on many of the secondary characters long enough for it to cause turbulence.

Kailin's Alpha essence has not swayed in the slightest from the first installment of the SkinWalker series. Only Kailin's new side kick has shown changes in her characteristics, which is surprisingly welcome. There's no uncomfortable transitions to deal with in the prose, making it easier to welcome the introduction of several new characters.

Be prepared for a shocking run in of former character's,  assisting in the fantastic, emotional atmosphere of the novel's ending.

My only concern for this novel is my personal wish for more descriptive romance scenes for Kai and Logan. Other than that, if you loved 'Skin Deep' as much as I, then it should be impossible to keep you from this novel. I'm delighted to reveal that it is just as captivating. 

Last Chance: A New Adult Urban Fantasy (DarkWorld:SkinWalker Book 3)

The things that go bump in the night are real

With the loss of her sister still weighing down both her conscience and her heart, Kailin Odel

must take on the next part of her mission - find her mother and Anjelo and bring them back from

Wrythiin.

Danger betrayal lurks in the Wraith World

Kailin uses her mother's portal key and enters the Wraith world intent on saving the ones she

loves, but from the moment she arrives her mission is fraught with peril.

Can she save her mother?

Arriving in Wrythiin, Kai steps right into the middle of a Wraith rebellion. And only to find that

though Anjelo is safe, her mother is held captive by a subversive faction of Wraiths once led by

the Wraithlord that Kai had killed.

Demons come in many forms

From Wraiths to Shapeshifters, rebel causes to fraying family ties, to inexplicable new powers,

Kai must fight her darkest demons while entering the blackest pits of Wrythiin to save her

mother.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MY9VA7W

Ayer's eloquent writing style once again ensares the readers minds, entrapping them with simple, yet vivid imagery, emotional atmospheres, and unique scenarios. Her presentation of diversity, ranging from characters to religious belief systems is flawless. As much as I have already praised her talents for creating unique storylines and a well-structured prose, her abilities vastly improve with each novel. I also wish to mention how her characters mannerisms remain the same throughout each novel. That's a conflict I enjoy not having to endure with this particular author.

The opening scene rouses snippets of empathy, tranquility, and loss. Tragic circumstances awakens friction among the characters in Last Chance. The obscurity behind the onslaught of changes everyone in Kai's world must face, compels a vigorous desire for justice and information.  The nagging suspicions are intense to the point of driving one stark - raving mad! (Pointedly: myself)

No matter how serious the plot, it is not without humor, nor is it overwhelming to read. It's as smooth and pleasant as it is intriguing. I feel nothing but admiration for Kai's Alpha strength and level-headed wit. She remains thorough in her tactics and consideration. Though that remains the same, this installment is filled with more well-suited transitions than one could have foreseen. It's fresh and exciting.

Be prepared for new enemies, allies, and ending that shocked me to my core. At the moment, I am still dealing with the effects of this stories revelations. The apprehension I'm experiencing over the details in the next few books has me on edge.

The DarkWorld: SkinWalkers series has everything. Shifters, mafes, demons, and fae. It's a thrilling adventure with just enough romance to satiate the desire. Though, I do need to mention that in this installment, Logan and Kai's Romance reaches an invigorating, boiling point. I desperately need more.

I'm thankful for a new series to read time and again with no loss of satisfaction.  5 stars aren't nearly enough to present the prestine quality of The DarkWorld series.

Blood Promise: A New Adult Urban Fantasy (DarkWorld: SkinWalker Book 4)

The things that go bump in the night are real

Kailin Odel, alpha shapeshifter and demon hunter, made a deal that helped her save her sister's

soul: a Blood Promise.



A blood promise to fulfill.

Now, the High Priestess of the DeathTalkers is calling in her marker, and Kai had better hope

she can hold up her end of the bargain, because either way, it's all about to hit the fan...

A terrible betrayal

Someone close to Kai and her friends is guilty of the worst kind of evil. Will she be strong

enough to deal with them?

A horrible loss

Everything snowballs into a violent end. Will Kai handle the loss she faces and still be able to

carry on?
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B015M5WIPC

The SkinWalker series by T.G. Ayer is the best urban fantasy I've ever had the pleasure of reading.  Her storylines flow smoothly and her multilayered characters have me instantly lost in the story.

In this installment, things get rocky for Logan and Kai when the Shifter council attempts to overthrow the Alphas.
And then they have to spend even more time apart whilst investigating the deaths of paranormals who are targeted specifically for being paranormal.  I enjoyed the mystery and action of the story, but would have liked to have seen more interaction between Logan and Kai. For the sake of the storyline I'll suck it up!

I would personally recommend this to all urban fantasy lovers. In a book Era where so many genres tend to overlap,  Ayer's stories are a refreshing reprieve into literary bliss.

Scorched Fury: A New Adult Urban Fantasy (DarkWorld: SkinWalker Book 5)

The things that go bump in the night are real

The Great Ash Trees - supernatural guardian trees of the DarkWorld - are dying, and Kai enlists

the help of MetalSinger; Fae Queen Tara to find those who threaten the stability of all the

realms.

Logan's life hangs in the balance

Then, Logan - still in his cryo-induced coma - makes a request of Kai that she cannot refuse.

"Save her." Whether Logan lives or dies, Kai is determined to fulfill her promise to find the girl

from Logan's memories and help him find peace.

A journey to fulfill a promise.

What Kai doesn't expect is to find her in a world on the brink of extinction, a world Kai didn't

even know existed. But there is more at stake than a missing girl. Can she keep her promises or

will it be an impossible ask?

A destiny not her own

Filled with grief, and blossoming passion, redemption, and growing hope, Scorched Fury

reveals secrets long buried and brings together a band of friends who are destined to one day

save the DarkWorld.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FCW20JE

I'm just going to go ahead and throw this out there: I loved it! In this installment of the SkinWalker series by T.G.Ayer, I was nearly twenty five percent into the book before I felt emotionally invested in it this time. It took a bit to get the storyline off of the ground. Once the pace of the  adventure and action picked up I couldn't put it down. There's fantasy, mythological characters, and mysteries to be solved. I love the fantasy realms Ayer creates and the atmosophere of the story takes on a CSI meets the X-men vibe. Throw in a two decade long conspiracy and some dragons and you have hours of entertainment.  I'm desperate to find out more about Logan, Storm, and what is to come of the prophecy. This is one of my favorite reads by Ayer as of late and I'd totally recommend it to urban fantasy lovers.

Author Bio:

Tee is the author of over 25 Contemporary Fantasy, Thriller & Paranormal novels

Tee's Valkyrie Series is a Norse Mythology based Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy

Her Hand of Kali Series is a diverse YA Contemporary Fantasy using Indian Mythology as a

setting

Tee's DarkWorld contains two current series:

* The SkinWalker Series, a NA Shifter & Magic Urban Fantasy with a black panther, reluctant

alpha tracker who will keep you on your toes.

* The SoulTracker Series, a NA Contemporary Fantasy with a teleporting, astral-projecting kick-

ass main character.

Upcoming in the world are:

* The MetalSinger (Tara), * The DeathTalker (Nerina) & * The Stolen Queen of Dracys

Tee also has an Angels & Demons Urban Fantasy series, the Chronicles of the Irin, and if you

like strong female leads with wings, and a dreadlocked albino demon side-kick, Evie's story is

for you.

Tee also writes Romantic Suspense and Psychological Horror as Toni Vallan. Click on Thrillers

on Tee's website to find out more.

And because Tee hardly ever sleeps and loves making stuff up, look out for more books,

coming soon.

Monster Mine (Fear University 3) by Meg Collett

Description

I, Sunny Lyons, am chasing my best friend’s ghost.

Or at least I thought I was until Ollie calls me on the phone and tells me to come to Anchorage, Alaska. We find her in a renovated warehouse surrounded by halflings and Hex, her father and the greatest aswang warrior who has ever lived.

While trying to protect Ollie from the people who want to use her as a weapon, I stumble across a secret the halflings will kill to protect—a secret that could save the man I love. I may be the Cowardly Lyon, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to protect my friends—even if it kills me.

My name is Ollie Volkova, and I am not broken.

Though my friends may say otherwise after I spent three weeks with a sadistic madman. They think I’m crazy, but when a monster called the Manananggal surfaces on the outskirts of Anchorage, my father offers to tell me about my mother in exchange for my help in hunting down the winged creature. It’s a deal I can’t pass up. Not when my mother’s past is so important to my future.

But the more I learn about her, the more I discover about my monster’s soul, and when my father reveals the final, darkest truth, the decision I make will change the course of my life.


This book is recommended for mature readers due to sexual content, violence, and language.

 REVIEW

Monster Mine completely wreaked havoc on my emotions. If you have plans for he day I suggest waiting to start when you know you have a few free hours. My husband was a little disgruntled that I couldn't put it down on his day off. Whoops? This series is one of the few I've read that's worth obsessing over. The characters are real for me and the emotional pull is intoxicating.  

We can  obviously already anticipate the dark and alluring atmosphere in this series to grow darker after the way book two ended. I didn't anticipate, however, our sweet, funny, and loveable Sunny to grow a back bone. Her reaction to Aswang Saliva is a nice touch. I couldn't wait to find out how things would turn out for her and Hatter.  

The relationship between Ollie and Luke completely had me on edge. There’s still mysteries to figure out but what Ollie does with the truths is completely unexpected.  I love Ollie with a die hard, fan girl passion!

I need the next book in this series YESTERDAY! 5 well-deserved stars!

Purchase your for 2.99!

Throne of Glass

T

In a land without magic, where the king rules with an iron hand, an assassin is summoned to the castle. She comes not to kill the king, but to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she is released from prison to serve as the king's champion. Her name is Celaena Sardothien.
The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. But something evil dwells in the castle of glass--and it's there to kill. When her competitors start dying one by one, Celaena's fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival, and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world.

Throne of Glass is a riveting page turner for Epic Fantasy lovers of all ages! The prose is fast paced and thought provoking. Chelaena's character is seemingly facetious and haughty; however, as the storyline continues her layers are quickly peeled away, revealing a young girl who's world was violently ripped away during a war that destroyed magic. She is a trained, notorious assassin who on the surface cares for no one. Her actions and interests reveal not only a caring and compassionate person, and her well placed character traits clue is on intriguing secrets regarding her past and her future. I don't know that I would necessarily compare it to the Hunger Games because of it's much lighter tone. It's still just as entertaining and I'd highly recommend to YA readers with a predisposition for magic, head strong heroines, mystery, and just a dash of romance. 

 

4 Stars

Grab Your Copy on Amazon

A Faerie's Curse (Creepy Hollow 6) by Rachel Morgan

A witch’s curse. A world-ending prophecy. A daring rescue mission. Don’t miss the heart-pounding finale to Calla’s story! 
On the run from the Guild of Guardians, Calla Larkenwood and her team of fellow outlaws plan a daring rescue operation into the Seelie Court itself. As if that isn’t enough to keep them busy, the power-hungry Princess Angelica has begun preparations for a horrifying prophesied spell that will forever change both the magic and non-magic realms. 

When Calla is blindsided by an unspeakable tragedy before the rescue can be carried out, she struggles to remain focused on her mission. She believes she’s reached her lowest point—until a witch reveals the final blow: she has cursed Calla’s magic. With time running out, can Calla save the one she loves and stop the prophecy from being carried out before the curse claims her life? 

Perfect for fans of The Mortal Instruments,Unenchanted, and Graceling. 

A Faerie's Curse is a gripping tale of good versus evil. The problem? The lines are so blurred that the "villians" become the new heroes.  

Calla's life is on the line as she desperately puts herself in danger time and again to rescue Chase from imminent death by the hands of the Seelie Queen.  It's a gripping tale of good versus evil.  The problem? The lines are so blurred that the villains become the new heroes. This tale is perhaps the darkest ever written by Rachel Morgan and I expect more to come for this series as there seems to be a lot of open ended questions surrounding the future of our protoganists. It is, however, the last Creepy Hollow book from Calla's point of view.  With magic, mystery, and romance, A Faerie's Curse is a must read for all age groups!

With a pleasant mixture of magic, mystery, and romance, you don't want to miss it!