Cover Reveal: The Blood of Hydra

Elementals: The Blood of the Hydra by Michelle Madow
Elementals #2

Expected Publication: April 18, 2016
Publisher: Dreamscape Publishing
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy

A DEMIGOD WHO CAN KILL WITH A TOUCH. IT’S AN ABILITY THAT MUST BE KEPT SECRET FROM EVERYONE, EVEN FROM THOSE TRUSTED MOST.
Finding out that her new school had her in a special homeroom for witches was strange enough, but now Nicole must face the realization that she has the rare power to kill with just a touch. It’s a secret she needs to keep not only from the Head Elders, but from the super-sexy witch Blake, who she’s had undeniable chemistry with even before he broke up with his long-term girlfriend, the vengeful witch Danielle.
Now Nicole and the four others gifted with powers over the elements, including Blake and Danielle, must stop a series of monsters that they previously believed to be dead from rising once again and destroying the mortal world. Three magical items are needed, including the blood of the slain hydra – ingredients that they must journey to the dangerous, mystical islands in Greece to retrieve.
The monsters they face on this journey will be more threatening than anything they’ve encountered yet. But with the fate of the world on their shoulders, it’s up to the Elementals to return home victorious. Will they find the ingredients they need? Can Nicole and her friends pull off this mission while the tension between her, Blake, and Danielle threatens to ruin everything? And how long will it be until Nicole is forced to use her ability to kill in front of everyone, revealing the true darkness of her powers?
Find out in The Blood of the Hydra, and join the Elementals on their next journey in their quest to save the world – or die trying.

 About the Author

Michelle Madow has always loved writing stories, but the possibility of being an author used to feel
more like a dream than a reality. She didn’t share her stories with anyone until her junior year of college, when she signed up for an Intro to Creative Writing course. Her teacher and classmates read the first chapter of a book idea she had, and they loved it so much that they told her she had to finish the book so they could find out what happened next. By the end of the school year, Michelle finished that book, which would later be published as her first novel, Remembrance.
Michelle grew up in Baltimore, and now lives in Boca Raton, Florida, where she writes books for young adults. Some of her favorite things are: reading, pizza, traveling, shopping, time travel, Broadway musicals, and spending time with friends and family. Michelle has toured across America to promote her books and to encourage high school students to embrace reading and writing. Someday, she hopes to travel the world for a year on a cruise ship.

   

I want to hear what you think!

Let me know in the comments

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Introduing YA Author Rendezvous

Let us introduce YA Author Rendezvous – a group of independent Young Adult, Middle Grade and Children’s Book authors who have banded together to bring their stories to as wide an audience as possible. Visit them online and find some great reads!

         

Today we’re featuring YA Author Rendezvous author, Bethany Wicker!

Favorite YAAR Supporting Characters

Everyone gets to know and fall in love with the MC, or Main Character. I, however, tend to fall for supporting characters. In our group YAAR, short for Young Adult Author Rendezvous, there are several great characters to choose from, but I’d like to talk about a few of my favorites.
We’ll start with Unexpected Alpha, by Bethany Wicker (yours truly.) I’m in love with Marie, the best friend of the MC. She provides comedic relief. I may be biased because she’s based off my best friend in real life, Mariah, but her bubbliness is hard to hate. She also becomes a badass werewolf when necessary.
Next up, The Institute Series by Kayla Howarth. I’m SO IN LOVE WITH DREW! Sorry, went a little fan girl. He betrays Allira in the beginning, but fights so hard to make things right throughout the series that Kayla made it had to not fall for him. Who doesn’t love a bad guy who tries to make things right in the end?
Then, there’s Joshua’s Island by Patrick Hodges. Who doesn’t love Kelsey? Sure, she gets her own novel in Ethan’s Secret, but before that she was a supporting character. She was so hardcore, stood up to the bullies, and stood for what’s right. She helps Joshua in so many ways to develop the courage he needs to stand up for himself.
The Awaken Series, by Michelle Bryan has several intriguing characters: Finn, Po, Tater, and my favorite, Jax. He’s SO ATTRACTIVE, hold on, need to shift away from fan girl mode. He comes to Tara’s aid when you least expect it and continues to help her on her journey. His snide comments are a bonus and there’s no instant love between them, which always ruins a good story.
Dawn of the Rebellion, by Michelle Lynn is up next with Drew. Yes, another Drew. I swear it isn’t the name! Drew’s originally Gabby’s boyfriend, but when she’s taken, Dawn and Drew set out to rescue her. Their relationship blossoms slowly and you see his true character come to life, and it’s very desirable. I’m not going to spoil anything but I cried at the end… read and see why.
Lastly, there’s Rise of the Shadow Seekers, by Korey Ward. My favorite of the trio is Nelson. I loved him from the moment he was introduced. He defended Alex from the bullies, but his looks scream otherwise. He’s broad and intimidating, but doesn’t use it for his own gain. Instead, he helps Alex in his quest and quickly becomes one of his first friends. A friend that anyone would want.
There are plenty characters out there that I didn’t have enough room to give credit to, but check them out in the YAAR library and be on the lookout for those enchanting supporting characters.

About the Author

Bethany Wicker resides in Louisiana and is a pediatric nurse who loves to read and write any chance she gets. Her sun conure, Apollo, green cheek conure, Rocket, and her two dogs, Jasper and Drake, usually keep her company while she writes, throwing in ideas of their own. She has a loving husband, Lucien, and an amazing family who support her passion for writing. Her inspiration comes from her friend Mariah and the support from her fellow authors from YA Author Rendezvous. She loves young adult fiction of all sorts and thanks God for giving her the strength to finish novels of her own. She is obsessed with Disney, Cherry Coke, and White Chocolate Mochas, especially from Starbucks. She also loves food and is always excited to try new things.

    

For more YA Author Rendezvous Authors, visit their website!

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Shade Me Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway

Welcome to Unabridged Bookshelf's stop on the Shade Me Blog Tour!  Make sure to check out everything going on during this tour by clicking the banner above. 

About the Book

Title: Shade Me

Author: Jennifer Brown

Series: Nikki Kill #1
Publisher:  Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: January 19, 2016

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, 

Purchase: Amazon 

Nikki Kill does not see the world like everyone else. In her eyes, happiness is pink, sadness is a mixture of brown and green, and lies are gray. Thanks to a rare phenomenon called synesthesia, Nikki’s senses overlap, in a way that both comforts and overwhelms her.
Always an outsider, just one ‘D’ shy of flunking out, Nikki’s life is on the fast track to nowhere until the night a mysterious call lights her phone up bright orange—the color of emergencies. It’s the local hospital. They need Nikki to identify a Jane Doe who is barely hanging on to life after a horrible attack.
The victim is Peyton Hollis, a popular girl from Nikki’s school who Nikki hardly knows. One thing is clear: Someone wants Peyton dead. But why? And why was Nikki’s cell the only number in Peyton’s phone?
As she tries to decipher the strange kaleidoscope of clues, Nikki finds herself thrust into the dark, glittering world of the ultra-rich Hollis family, and drawn towards Peyton’s handsome, never-do-well older brother Dru. While Nikki’s colors seem to help her unravel the puzzle, what she can’t see is that she may be falling into a trap. The only truth she can be sure of is that death is a deep, pulsing crimson.

About the Author

Jennifer Brown is the author of acclaimed young adult novels, Hate List, Bitter End, Perfect Escape,
Thousand Words, and Torn Away. Her debut novel, Hate List, received three starred reviews and was selected as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, a VOYA "Perfect Ten," and a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year. Bitter End received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and VOYA and is listed on the YALSA 2012 Best Fiction for Young Adults list. Her debut middle grade novel, Life on Mars, was released in 2014, and her second middle grade novel, How Lunchbox Jones Saved Me from Robots, Traitors, and Missy the Cruel will be released in summer 2015. She also writes women's fiction under the name Jennifer Scott.
Jennifer writes and lives in the Kansas City, Missouri area, with her husband and three children.    

My Review of Shade Me

Shade Me is the mystery novel I did not know I was wait for, and I cannot wait for more from the Nikki Kill series. Nikki Kill is unique because it is her gift of synesthesia, or curse if you ask Nikki. Her brain is crosswire to see numbers, letters, and emotions as different colors. When the popular girl at school is found beaten and unconscious, Nikki who has no real connection to her is pulled into the mystery and it seems that Peyton left behind clue only Nikki can find.

Nikki is the type of character I really love to read about, the loner girl who actually gives a damn about other people. Nikki has no reason to continue to try to find out what happened to Peyton even if she is pulled in by being the only number on Peyton’s phone but it quickly becomes a mission for her. I love that Nikki really goes above the call of duty to find out what happened and who is behind Peyton’s attack. From start to finish, Shade Me had me enthralled and the uniqueness of Nikki’s “gift” really added to the enjoyment of the story. It became much more than just a standard young adult mystery novel. 

I loved Nikki and while Peyton’s mystery is pretty much conclude by the end of Shade Me, there is a few new questions that pop up that have me dying of curiosity for the next Nikki Kill story. Also can I just say I love the name Nikki Kill, it sounds like she should be a spy or assassin. Girl can hold her own in a fight so maybe I am not far off from future book storylines (just kidding). 

The writing and descriptions that Jennifer Brown uses for Nikki’s synesthesia makes me feel like I am seeing it myself. From Nikki’s personality and her kick ass and will not take no attitude, I loved every second of Shade Me. Of course there were times I was yelling in my head at her, but then again I do when I read a really great book that has my completely captivated. 

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

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The Cave Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway

Welcome to Unabridged Bookshelf's stop on the Cave Blog Tour!  Make sure to check out everything going on during this tour by clicking the banner above. 

About the Book

Title: The Cave

Author: Michela Montgomery

Series: The Wind Cave #1
Publisher: Post Hill Press

Publication Date: April 7, 2015

Genres: New Adult, Post-Apocalyptic

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When a nuclear war devastates the U.S., a four-day excursion quickly turns into a fight for survival in The Cave. Six Stanford students journey into one of the deepest and longest caves in North America. A day into their journey, a nuclear war begins from within the U.S. Unable to return to the surface, and unsure what they will find when they do, the Cave will test the strength and survival of each person differently – transforming six individuals into a team, and ultimately…a family.

My Review of The Cave

The Cave and The Wind Cave series just became one of my new favorite series so far this year. The fight for survival inside the cave is intense as the group has to navigate the underground trails and passageways and ration food in the hopes to survive until it is safe to return to the surface. The relationships that are formed and tested through the story is what makes this novel. 

When the group first goes into the Wind Cave, they are not all friends in fact half of them really do not even know each other. As with any group that has to stick together in dire circumstances, they quickly begin to bond as each of them rely on each other. I like the relationships and friendships that form out of the group as they try to hike through the cave to get supplies and stay away from the toxic surface air until it is safe to return. It is not an easy journey and with most of the group having no climbing or caving experience, the simplest of paths can turn deadly if they are not careful. 

I will say that I am not a usual fan of the love triangle, as it is overuse in novels today, but I think that the author, Michaela Montgomery, handled it very well. I only hate having to wait until the next book to see how the love triangle plays out or if Kate chooses herself over the boys. I personally would like to see her choose herself and if either of the love interest really cares, I think they will follow her. Now it is just a wait and see game.

There is so much more to the story of this group left to explore and while it is mainly from Kate’s perspective, I hope that the next book gives us more insight into the other characters as the decisions of the future are now in their hands. I think that the battle for survival has really just begun and will continue throughout the series, especially with the next book Aftermath. 

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

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Cover Reveal: Forged in Ice

Forged in Ice by Alyssa Rose Ivy

The Forged Chronicles #2

Expected Publication: January 25, 2016
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Genres: New Adult, Paranormal, Romance,

An undying love threatened by darkness…

James' worst nightmare has come true. From the grave his father has poisoned the woman he loves, and James will do anything to save her.

Ainsley is stuck in a world she barely knows. She struggles to come to terms with the new life she never asked for and her intense connection with James.

When darkness threatens to destroy everything, they must face their greatest fears and the possibility their love is no match for the darkness.

 Haven't started the Forged Chronicles yet?  Forged in Stone is on sale for 99¢ for a limited time!

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 About the Author

Alyssa Rose Ivy is the bestselling author of more than twenty-five novels with over half a million books sold worldwide. She loves to weave stories with romance and humor, and she is best known for writing about college boys with wings and skinny dipping. After surviving law school and earning her masters in library science, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.

    

My Thoughts: I loved the first book, Forged in Stone! I loved James and Ainsley story and see some of my favorite characters from Alyssa's Afterglow Trilogy. The best part is that you do not have to read the Afterglow Trilogy to enjoy the Forged Chronicles but for fans they get to see some of their favorites all grown up. The end of Forged in Stone has me dying to read Forged in Ice and the cover is just phenomenal.

I want to hear what you think!

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Floor 21 Blog Tour: Review

Welcome to Unabridged Bookshelf's stop on the Floor 21 Blog Tour!  Make sure to check out everything going on during this tour by clicking the banner above. 

About the Book

Title: Floor 21

Author: Jason Luthor

Publication Date: June 2, 2015

Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopia

Purchase: Amazon 

As humanity lives out the remainder of its existence at the top of an isolated apartment tower, young Jackie dares to question Tower Authority and their ban on traveling into the tower's depths. Intelligent and unyielding, Jackie ventures into the shadows of the floors below. But will her strong will and refusal to be quiet—in a society whose greatest pride is hiding the past—bring understanding of how humanity became trapped in the tower she has always called home, or will it simply be her undoing?

About the Author

Jason Luthor has spent a long life writing for sports outlets,
media companies and universities. His earliest writing years came during his coverage of the San Antonio Spurs as an affiliate with the Spurs Report and its media partner, WOAI Radio. He would later enjoy a moderate relationship with Blizzard Entertainment, writing lore and stories for potential use in future games. At the academic level he has spent several years pursuing a PhD in American History at the University of Houston, with a special emphasis on Native American history.
His inspirations include some of the obvious; The Lord of the Rings and Chronciles of Narnia are some of the most cited fantasy series in history. However, his favorite reads include the Earthsea Cycle, the Chronicles of Prydain, as well as science fiction hits such as Starship Troopers and Do Androids dream of Electric Sheep?
   

My Review of Floor 21

Floor 21 is really unlike anything I have read in the past from the way the narrative is written to the plotline of the story itself. I will admit that reading the story in a recording style took a little getting used to as someone use to traditional storytelling, but almost immediately, the plot captured me and held my attention through the whole novel. Jackie has some complying arguments and insatiable curiosity, which is why I loved following her story. As a naturally curious person, I know that if I had grown up in the Tower, I would also be curious as to what was before, and why we as humans were there now. It is almost basic human nature to wonder about the past and the future and how they define us. 

Jackie is a naturally intelligent young woman on the brink of becoming an adult, and wants answers that the Tower Authority is strictly against giving. All she has to go on is old movies and music to get a sense of the life before The Creep took over the tower. She also wants to know how far down the tower goes and if maybe just maybe there are other people in other towers. These questions lead Jackie down a dangerous path that she documents by recording her thoughts on a personal recorder. This is how readers experience the story through those recordings. 

This story has its dark and creepy in way of the mysterious substance known as the Creep that wants to take over the tower and could wipe out the last survivors. This science fiction almost horror element plus the recording narrative makes this book feel like a found footage horror movie almost, except it is not quite so terrifying for the most part. Trust me there are defiantly some creeptastic moments during Floor 21. 

I am glad I had the chance to broaden my reading tastes by reading Floor 21 by Jason Luthor. I will be keeping an eye out to see if he continues his story from Floor 21 or anything else, he decides to write in the future. 

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

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