Cover Reveal: The Rise of Genesis

The Rise of Genesis by M.R. Merrick

Expected Publication: March 15, 2016
Genres: Urban Fantasy

In a world where being Supernatural means you’re in danger, Ash Lawson is front and center. After years of helping others escape ATOM—a government entity known for abusing Supernaturals—he’s captured, and saving himself will prove to be the most difficult task he’s undertaken. 

Tryst Rivera is a Succubus and veteran at the Academy, a facility tasked with converting underage Supernaturals into cooperative ATOM soldiers. She’s endured her time mostly unscathed, but when Ash arrives and their lives are tethered to one another, she’s placed in immediate danger. 

With escape at the forefront of his mind, Ash struggles with the idea of life under ATOM’s thumb. He’ll die before he converts, but his life isn’t the only one he’s responsible for, and he already has more blood on his hands than he can bear. When a chance for freedom arises, Ash needs to decide how much—and who—he’s willing to risk for a second chance.

 About the Author

M.R. Merrick is a Canadian writer and author of The Protector Series, and The Rise of Genesis.
Having never traveled, he adventures to far off lands through his imagination and in between cups of coffee. As a music lover and proud breakfast enthusiast, he's usually found at the computer between a pair of headphones and a large bowl of cereal.

   

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Let me know in the comments

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Book Blast With Excerpt and Giveaway: Endure by M.R. Merrick

Available June 5th 

Endure (The Protector, #4)

Book Description:

Wrapped in darkness and woven with defeat, every action Chase has taken since being exiled from the Circle has been met with a devastating response. Now he's been burdened with a quest that seems impossible, and he needs to evolve into something more, something greater than he ever thought he could be.Armed with magic, friendship, and an unbreakable will, Chase must build an army and find a weapon capable of defeating the ultimate evil. But he knows that nothing great comes without sacrifice. Blessed by the very gods who have abandoned him and carrying the fate of all the worlds on his shoulders, Chase Williams is about find out just how much one man can endure. 

Excerpt:

I jerked up from the couch, but the repercussion that came with the motion made me curse. My chest heaved and sweat dripped down my face.

“Chase?” I heard a voice say, but it was groggy. I wasn’t quite in reality yet.

I cleared my throat and threw my legs over the edge of the couch. More pain came, but I didn’t care. I needed to touch the floor. I needed to ground myself.

“Chase, are you okay?” It was Rayna’s voice and she ran down the stairs.

I screamed as the scabbed over skin on my back tore open when I attempted to stand. I fell to the couch and beat my fists against the cushions as though that could alleviate the pain.

“Chase, hey…calm down.”

Rayna’s voice soothed me. She crouched in front of me and carefully touched my shoulder. Calming energy emanated off her body and soaked into mine. The adrenaline and pain faded, leaving an empty pit stirring inside me. I went completely still. The green cat eyes staring back at me had stolen my words and my breath. Swelling had formed under Rayna’s right eye and she looked tired, but she was as striking as ever.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

Amazon | B&N | Kobo

About the Author:

M.R. Merrick is a Canadian writer, and author of Exiled, the first installment in The Protector Series. Having never traveled, he adventures to far off lands through his imagination and in between cups of coffee. As a music lover and proud breakfast enthusiast, he's usually found at the computer, between a pair of headphones and in front of a large bowl of cereal.

M.R. Merrick | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook 

 

Book #1, Exiled is currently FREE

Chase Williams is a demon hunter in the Circle, or at least he was supposed to be. On his fifteenth birthday, Chase stepped up to the altar to claim his elemental power, but it never came. Elemental magic is passed down to a hunter through the bloodline, but on Chase's birthday, the bloodline stopped. 

Exiled without the Circle's protection, Chase has spent two years trying to survive a world riddled with half-demons and magic. When he has a run in with a frightened and seemingly innocent demon, he learns the Circle's agenda has changed: the Circle plans to unlock a portal and unleash pure-blood demons into the world. Vowing to stop them, and knowing he can't do it alone, Chase forms a reluctant alliance with Rayna — a sexy witch with an attitude and a secret. 

In their attempt to stop them, Chase and Rayna find themselves in the middle of the Circle's plan, leaving one of them to decide what their friendship is worth, and the other's life depending on it. 

Amazon | B&N | Kobo

5 winners will have their choice of eBook from the series.

1 Grand prize will win SIGNED copies of ALL FOUR BOOKS.

International

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Book Review: Shift by M.R. Merrick

Title: Shift
Author: M.R. MerrickTitle: Shift
Series: The Protector #2
Publication Date: February 1, 2012
Length: 350 Pages
Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Devastated by a terrible loss, Chase is trying to balance the life he’s been left with, a family he’s still getting to know, and power he never thought he’d have. He doesn’t understand why the Goddess has named him the Protector and granted him two gifts: the Mark, a tattoo that now covers his back, and the ring. But between getting interrogated by the Circle and psychic attacks from Riley, the Mark is the least of his concern. There’s a demon inside Rayna that’s fighting to be released, and it’s not her inner witch. It’s something else—a monster threatening to tear her apart.
As Chase struggles to control his magic, his enemies are closing in. Everyone has staked a claim on his ring, and destroying it may be his only chance to stop Riley. But Chase must decide if stopping him is worth risking the lives of everyone he cares about, or if protecting the ring will be enough to save his world.

MY REVIEW

Some say that Lighting does not strike twice, but that does not apply to author, M.R. Merrick. He has captured lighting in a bottle or more accurately in a book, yet again. After Exiled, I had high hopes for Shift, but my hopes and expectations were blown out of the water and into orbit. If you are looking for one of the best young adult urban fantasy series out there, The Protector series is it. 

This time there is more danger lurking around every corner. Chase is trying to adjust to his new life, with his new powers and without the one person that mattered to him most. The Circle who exiled Chase is finally realizing something may actually be wrong. Rayne’s demon has resurfaced, and it is trying to rip its way out of her, literally. Chase is determined to protect everyone he loves, because he cannot lose anyone else. In his heighten emotional state, and the stress, Chase continues to make decisions without thinking them through. 

In some series, the middle book or books do not live up to the excitement or quality of first or last books. In the Protector series, each book is pertinent to the story, and the story is not drug out to help fill a word count. This causes Shift to be completely full of astounding, action-packed storyline that keeps readers enthralled to the very end. 

The Protector Series and Shift will continue to be the series that I push on my friends and family members when they ask me for book recommendations. In fact, my husband has rewarded from my eager pushing of the series, and it is his favorite series of all time. This is coming from someone who is not an avid reader, and had not read a book for fun until he met me. While I maybe a lover of books, my husband is a hard case to win over. The fact that this made both of our favorite lists is a testament to excellence of The Protector series. 

**Unabridged Bookshelf received this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review**

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Cover Reveal: Endure by M.R. Merrick

Available June 5th 

Endure (The Protector, #4) by M.R. Merrick
Cover by Parajunkee Design

YA Urban Fantasy
Final book in The Protector Series

Wrapped in darkness and woven with defeat, every action Chase has taken since being exiled from the Circle has been met with a devastating response. Now heÕs been burdened with a quest that seems impossible, and he needs to evolve into something moreÑsomething greater than he ever thought he could be.
Armed with magic, friendship, and an unbreakable will, Chase must build an army and find a weapon capable of defeating the ultimate evil. But he knows that nothing great comes without sacrifice. Blessed by the very gods who have abandoned him and carrying the fate of all the worlds on his shoulders, Chase Williams is about find out just how much one man can endure.

 Book 1 - Exiled is FREE!

Amazon | B&N | Kobo

About the author:

M.R. Merrick is a Canadian writer, and author of Exiled, the first installment in The Protector Series. Having never traveled, he adventures to far off lands through his imagination and in between cups of coffee. As a music lover and proud breakfast enthusiast, he's usually found at the computer, between a pair of headphones and in front of a large bowl of cereal.

M.R. Merrick | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Thank you for stopping by Unabridged Bookshelf!

Book Review: Exiled by M.R. Merrick

Title: Exiled
Author: M.R. Merrick
Series: The Protector #1
Publication Date: June 28, 2011
Length: 264 Pages
Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Chase Williams is a demon hunter in the Circle, or at least he was supposed to be. On his fifteenth birthday, Chase stepped up to the altar to claim his elemental power, but it never came. Elemental magic is passed down to a hunter through the bloodline, but on Chase's birthday, the bloodline stopped.
Exiled without the Circle's protection, Chase has spent two years trying to survive a world riddled with half-demons and magic. When he has a run in with a frightened and seemingly innocent demon, he learns the Circle's agenda has changed: the Circle plans to unlock a portal and unleash pure-blood demons into the world. Vowing to stop them, and knowing he can't do it alone, Chase forms a reluctant alliance with Rayna — a sexy witch with an attitude and a secret.
In their attempt to stop them, Chase and Rayna find themselves in the middle of the Circle's plan, leaving one of them to decide what their friendship is worth, and the other's life depending on it.

MY REVIEW

 For a beginning to a series, Exiled is a powerful one. Exiled draws readers in and holds them hostage until the very end of the story. The author has a gift for storytelling that he uses to torture his readers, but in a good way. The world building in Exiled is creative and it stands out among others in the young adult fantasy genre. The characters are detailed and complex. Exiled is an outstanding beginning to an addicting new series. 

In Exiled, we are introduced to Chase an exiled hunter. Abandoned and excommunicated by The Circle and his own father for failing to develop powers. Chase has to fend off numerous demon attacks on his own. Chase’s teachings are called into question when he meets another hunter and his pseudo daughter, Rayna. The Circle he desired to be a part of maybe up to something that goes against everything that they represent.

Coming to terms with the change in his philosophy and beliefs opens Chase to an entire new group of potential friends and allies. Willie, a chameleon demon, becomes friends with Chase. I really like their friendship and the way Chase begins to feel protective. His protectiveness shows how much Chase grows and changes as a character throughout the story.

I loved Exiled and I have already had the pleasure of continuing on in the series. Shift is even better than Exiled if that is possible. I think The Protector series maybe becoming my newest addiction.

**Unabridged Bookshelf received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review**

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Release Blog Tour: Review and Amazing Giveaway

Welcome to Unabridged Bookshelf's stop on the Release Blog Tour!!

There is a lot of amazing stuff happening on this tour so make sure to check out the full schedule by clicking the banner above.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Release

Author: M.R. Merrick

Series: The Protector #3

Publication Date: December 8, 2012

Length: 370 Pages

After uniting the shifters and calling in reinforcements, Chase has to face his toughest challenge yet: learning to control his emotions. But as tensions rise and his powers grow, controlling his emotions becomes the least of his problems.
Terrorized by a multi-shifter who is hell-bent on turning him, Chase questions just how far he’s willing to go to stop his father. Meanwhile, Tiki’s virtuous nature has placed him in the middle of Vincent’s past, leaving Chase to oppose a senate of vampires and defend a demon he hates.
Trying to balance his friends, his enemies, and his inner demons, Chase is left searching for answers about the Mark, his destiny, and where he can find the next soul piece. Stopping Riley is his top priority, but as more obstacles arise, he finds himself doubting all the decisions he’s made - especially regarding Rayna.
One thing is for certain: Chase has finally realized that he doesn’t know anything. The light doesn’t always quell the darkness, the monsters don’t always stay in the shadows, and the past doesn’t always stay in the past - sometimes, the demons inside are the hardest to fight.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

M.R. Merrick is a Canadian writer and author of The Protector Series, a Young Adult mash-up between Urban and Epic Fantasy. Having never traveled, he adventures to far off lands through his imagination and in between cups of coffee. As a music lover and proud breakfast enthusiast, he’s usually found at the computer between a pair of headphones and in front of a large bowl of cereal.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

MY REVIEW 

* Spoilers will be avoided but this Review may contain spoilers from previous novels*

Check Out Exiled and Shift by M.R. Merrick Plus Enter a Giveaway!

Power Will Flourish

Lives Will be Lost

Nothing, Will be Forgotten

Chase Williams is a demon hunter in the Circle, or at least he was supposed to be. On his fifteenth birthday, Chase stepped up to the altar to claim his elemental power, but it never came. Elemental magic is passed down to a hunter through the bloodline, but on Chase's birthday, the bloodline stopped. Exiled without the Circle's protection, Chase has spent two years trying to survive a world riddled with half-demons and magic. When he has a run in with a frightened and seemingly innocent demon, he learns the Circle's agenda has changed: the Circle plans to unlock a portal and unleash pure-blood demons into the world.Vowing to stop them, and knowing he can't do it alone, Chase forms a reluctant alliance with Rayna - a sexy witch with an attitude and a secret. In their attempt to stop them however, Chase and Rayna find themselves in the middle of the Circle's plan, leaving one of them to decide what their friendship is worth, and the other's life depending on it.

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble  ~ Goodreads ~ Smashwords

All Other Retail Outlets

Stacking The Shelves #15

Stacking The Shelves was created and is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews. Stacking the Shelves is where I will be sharing the books and goodies I have received for the week. This will include both physical and eBooks that are purchased, borrowed, gifted, or for review. 

FOR REVIEW

Thank you to Dial Books for The Cadet of Tildor, I will be reviewing this book as part of a blog tour on January 3!

Thank you to M.R. Merrick for the copy of Release, which I will be reviewing on January 10, for a blog tour!

THIS WEEK ON UNABRIDGED BOOKSHELF
Title and Cover Reveal: Desolation #3 by Ali Cross
Teaser Tuesday: Ten by Gretchen McNeil

I was a horrible slacker again this week! I promise that next week will be better.
I working on reviews and posts right now.

Anyways, I am very excited to read both Release, and The Cadet of Tildor, because they sound amazing! I am part of the street team for The Cadet of Tildor, and I feel like I have not been doing much. I am happy to help with the release of the book, by partaking in the blog tour organized by AToMR Tours.

What did you get this week, make sure to leave me a link!

Thank you for stopping by Unabridged Bookshelf!

Cover Reveal: Release

Today I have the cover of Release by M.R. Merrick to reveal! Release is the third book in The Protector series.

EXPECTED PUBLICATION:

DECEMBER 10, 2012

After uniting the shifters and calling in reinforcements, Chase has to face his toughest challenge yet: learning to control his emotions. But as tensions rise and his powers grow, controlling his emotions becomes the least of his problems.

Terrorized by a multi-shifter who is hell-bent on turning him, Chase questions just how far he’s willing to go to stop his father.  Meanwhile, Tiki’s virtuous nature has placed him in the middle of Vincent’s past, leaving Chase to oppose a senate of vampires and defend a demon he hates.

Trying to balance his friends, his enemies, and his inner demons, Chase is left searching for answers about the Mark, his destiny, and where he can find the next soul piece. Stopping Riley is his top priority, but as more obstacles arise, he finds himself doubting all the decisions he’s made - especially regarding Rayna.
One thing is for certain: Chase has finally realized that he doesn’t know anything. The light doesn’t always quell the darkness, the monsters don’t always stay in the shadows, and the past doesn’t always stay in the past - sometimes, the demons inside are the hardest to fight.

VISIT THE AUTHOR

Website | Goodreads

BUY THE PROTECTOR SERIES

Exiled  | Shift

The cover is very stunning! I love the lighting and the purple votex in the middle of the cover. I think this cover is just beautiful.

Now it is your turn to let me know what you think of the cover in the comments!

Thank you for visiting Unabridged Bookshelf!