Earth God (World Aflame #4) by Jon Messenger Review

Hello readers and a very happy Friday evening to you all! I have a very special review to share with you all tonight. One that really is a bittersweet experience for me to share, as it was the series finale to one of the best series I've picked up in a very long time. What am I raving about tonight? Earth God, the thrilling conclusion to Jon Messenger's World Aflame series! Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the novel and out author:

THE EARTH GIVES WAY TO THE SEA,
THE SEA BOWS BEFORE THE WIND,
THE WIND FEEDS THE FLAME,
THE FLAME BURNS THE WORLD OF MAN DOWN TO THE EARTH.

The Fire Elemental has risen and its followers, the Fire Caste, have destroyed the planet. Humanity hangs on the cusp of extinction; their only hope now lies with the troubled Wind Warrior, Xander Sirocco.

Xander has absorbed the power of the Wind and Water Elementals but at great personal cost. Finding Sammy has been his anchor through the chaos around him, but now he finds himself wondering if saving her is enough.

Sammy remains a prisoner of the Fire Elemental, her mind trapped, as the dragon possesses her body. Her love for Xander keeps her going, but will her passion be enough to stop the Elemental from killing Xander once and for all?

Humanity's last hope rests in Xander finding the Earth Elemental. Claiming the power of the Earth is the last step before he can confront the dragon holding Sammy hostage. Unfortunately, he's not the only one who knows the location of the Earth Elemental.
It's a race against time between Xander and the dragon to claim the last of the Elemental power and bring an end to a war that's spanned millennia.

Earth God is the exciting conclusion to the bestselling and award-winning World Aflame series.

Jon Messenger 

Jon Messenger (Born 1979 in London, England) serves as an United States Army Major in the Medical Service Corps. Since graduating from the University of Southern California in 2002, writing Science Fiction has remained his passion, a passion that has continued through multiple combat and humanitarian deployments. Jon wrote the "Brink of Distinction" trilogy, of which "Burden of Sisyphus" is the first book, while serving a 16-month deployment in Baghdad, Iraq.

Find Jon Messenger

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook ** Goodreads *

*****

My Thoughts:

Anyone who has read my reviews of the other three novels in this series will tell you that it seems as though I've really had a love-hate relationship with these novels. I just went back and read those reviews from all those months ago in preparation of crafting this one. I found myself really having trouble with many of the elements in the other three novels and really hoped Messenger would rectify every concern I had before he rounded out this series. I may have found some huge faults with this series, but it's still among my favorite in the genre. I can say without a moment of hesitation that Earth God was exactly what I have been waiting for, and so much more!

The entire World Aflame series has been building up to this heart-stopping climax. With the powers of the Wind and Water Elementals merged inside him, Xander almost has what it takes to stop the Fire Elemental and his Fire Cast from burning the world of man down to the ground, wiping away all traces of humanity in an effort for the next stage in evolution to take hold. Only by locating and obtaining the powers of the final (and arguably most powerful) Elemental, Earth, can Xander finally have what he needs to take down Fire and, hopefully, save Sammy in the process. Confused? It's an important book. Basically the entire thing is a near-300 page action sequence. Battle after battle, trial after trial. Things always look darkest before the dawn and it's time for the sun to rise for Xander Sirocco as it sets on an incredible series. 

The plot to Earth God was amazing. It wrapped up nearly every loose end the story had and left me so satisfied. It's like Messenger took the best parts of each of his works and compiled them into this and then multiplied it by a hundred. Earth God is Messenger's best work to date!

While the plot to Earth God was incredible, it was really the characters who really helped to make this story shine. In the beginning, as evident by my Wind Warrior review, I hated Xander Sirocco. I found him to be lazy, boring, immature, and pretty much everything that causes me to roll my eyes at a story. Over the course of these three stories, Xander has grown exponentially. He's not just more mature, Xander is a hero. He has truly come into his own with this series. Sean and Jessica took some huge strides in this final story and really shaped their own destiny. They played a huge role in Xander's final battles and their involvement was so much greater than I expected it to be! I was not a fan of Jessica in the beginning and by the time the story ended, she was one of my favorites! The Fire Elemental, General Abraxas, and Lord Balor played huge roles in this novel. I think one of my favorite things about Messenger's writing is that we get to see everyone's side of the story. It isn't all about the good guys, it's about every character, their struggles, their triumphs, and their demises. Everyone gets a share of the spotlight and Messenger writes them to perfection. But what of my favorite character, Sammy? Unfortunately we really don't get to see much of 'Sammy' in the finale. Having been possessed by the Fire Elemental, she's been reduced to a mere 'inside voice'. While Sammy does still play a huge role in the story (one of the biggest), I was a little bummed to see she wasn't able to get more of a time to shine. I would have liked to see her weird her incredible powers one last time! She's still my favorite and I'm so glad Messenger say her story to such amazing completion.

This is the first novel in the series that the 'New Adult' aspect was really evident in my eyes. The language was harsher, the situations more dire. There were a few adult scenes and a whole lot more adult level thinking. I applaud Messenger for pushing the limits to make this novel really reflect its' New Adult classification. This was probably one of my biggest complains about the previous installments in the series, but Messenger really stepped it up in this final novel. 

Like the other novels in this series, the setting for Earth God turns out to be a globe-encompassing adventure. Europe, Honduras, the Pacific Islands, and Los Angeles all play huge roles in the story and Messenger writes each setting to perfection. The post-apocalyptic world, scorched beyond recognition: dark, scary, and unforgiving. Messenger creates a landscape full of fear and still finds a way to supply us with a beacon of hope, a silver lining in a tunnel of darkness. 

Of all the themes that Messenger emulates in this series, I believe the most important one is to embrace your destiny and control your fate. It is only through our characters learning to accept their ultimate responsibilities and places within the world that they are able to fully succeed. Friendship, love, forgiveness, and revenge are all also thoroughly explained. Messenger really dives into the mental and emotional tolls of war, death, and violence on the human psyche in this series, his military background shining through in a beautiful light. It's written with such raw honesty that it is sure to open the eyes of reflection for all readers. 

As a whole, this series was a roller coaster for me. In the beginning I really didn't care too much for it. My problems with Wind Warrior almost caused me to not go any farther. A full series later, Messenger really came into his own and delivered a finale that really displays his talent. This is, by far, my favorite work of Messenger's to-date. Each installment of the series got better with time and I am so glad I was able to finish the final novel feeling whole and satisfied. 

After having finished the story, I still have lots of questions. What happened after the climax? What becomes of humanity. Are the residents of White Halls still alive? What does the future hold for the Elements? I was really anxious to hear what would become of the elemental castes after the conclusion of Xander's story, but alas, we really don't see much about it. Thankfully Messenger did write a short Epilogue that left me rearing for more! It seems as though one day a spin-off series may not be out of the question! If that day does come, I'll be one-clicking, that's for sure!

It is an extremely bittersweet experience to read the final book in a series you loved. This year has been hard on me and I've not seen the finales of FIVE of my favorite series. 2015 has not been good on my 'feels' level. I keep catching them everywhere I turn. I am so grateful for authors like Jon Messenger. Authors who can write honestly without fluff. It's such an honor to read from a male author like Messenger who gives me hope for male authors writing in the genre. With so few on the market, I am blessed that I've found an author like Messenger to add to my shelves.

It is with great honor that I am granting Earth God by Jon Messenger a well-earned near-perfect, 5-star review! Seriously folks, this novel blew me out of the water. From cover to cover, I was completely captivated and couldn't put it down. I know this isn't the end of the amazingness we will be seeing from Jon Messenger. I can't wait to see what journey he takes us on next! Be sure to add this one to your TBRs people, you will not be disappointed!

*****

Check out my reviews of

Wind Warrior (World Aflame #1),

Flame Caller (World Aflame #2), and

Water Shaper (World Aflame #3)

by clicking the covers below!

          

Alright readers, sadly, for now, that is all I have for you on the topic of Jon Messenger's World Aflame series. This series has meant so much to me over the past year. It is through my discovery of this series that I found my place among the great folks at Clean Teen/Crimson Tree Publishing who have sense opened my eyes to a whole new world of reading. I owe Messenger and this series so much. I have considered it a great honor to review them here on the blog. Thank you all so much for stopping by. Hopefully one day we'll see more of these characters, and I'll be right here raving about them as well! Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

Blonde Date (The Ivy Years #2.5) by Sarina Bowen Review

Hey readers! Ethan here on this Thursday night with another review for you guys. What am I raving about this time? Blonde Date, the 'third' installment in Sarina Bowen's The Ivy Years series. Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the novella and our author:

A blind date. A nervous sorority girl. A mean-spirited fraternity prank. What could possibly go wrong?
As a sorority pledge, there are commandments that Katie Vickery must live by. One: thou shalt not show up for the party without a date. Two: the guy shall be an athlete, preferably an upperclassman.

Unfortunately, Katie just broke up with her jerkface football player boyfriend. Even worse, her last encounter with him resulted in utter humiliation. She’d rather hide under the bed than attend a party where he'll be.

Yet staying home would mean letting him win.

Enjoying herself tonight was out of the question. She could only hope to get through the evening without her blind date noticing that he was spending the evening with a crazy person.

Andrew Baschnagel is living proof that nice guys don’t finish first. He’s had his eye on Katie since the moment her long legs waltzed into his art history class. So when her roommate sets Andy up to be Katie’s date, he’d be crazy to say no. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have a lot of practice with either girls or parties. Yet.

Sarina Bowen

Sarina Bowen writes steamy, angsty contemporary romance from Vermont's Green Mountains. (Her ancestors began logging and farming Vermont during the 18th century. These were rugged, outdoor types without benefit of a laptop or a good latte. It boggles the mind.)

Sarina enjoys skiing, skating and good food. She lives in Windsor County, Vermont, with her family, eight chickens and too much ski gear and hockey equipment.

FACEBOOK * TWITTER * WEBSITE * GOODREADS

*****

My Thoughts:

You guys have been following my reviews of this series pretty closely and so many of us have raved about it. I am so pumped to be sharing this reading journey with so many awesome people This is seriously such an incredible series, I am so embarrassed that I just so recently became aware of it! With four full novels and a novella already released, you'd think I'd be tired of them by now, instead I think I love them more with each installment! 

Novellas are usually pretty 'meh' for me. Most times they give me just enough interest to tide me over until the next full book, but generally I don't finish one and think "Holy hell, where is the rest of this story?". I should have known that when Sarina Bowen wrote a novella that I'd be absolutely begging for more. 

Blonde Date was short, but awesome! Clocking in at just shy of 24,000 words, it was a quick read that kept me interested from the very first page and really packed a punch in those few pages! 

Blonde Date follows the story of Bridger's (male MC from book two) neighbor, Andrew during his date with Scarlet's roommate, Katie, that we learned about during the end of The Year We Hid Away. It was such a fun read!

Andrew is unique in the sense that he's a pretty average college student: nerdy and hardworking, but not a huge social butterfly. He's also a player on the Harkness basketball team (though we don't see much of it during this story). Katie is a sorority girl with enough 'OMG' in her to make Elle Woods cringe. Like Miss Woods though, Katie really grows so much during this story and really captured my heart. Both of the characters in this short novella really develop so well over the course of the story that they're almost unrecognizable. For all of their faults and contradictions, Katie and Andrew are perfect for each other. 

My favorite part about this novel is that it really showcased the truth in Sarina Bowen's writing. She really hits on a few hot button issues that will be farther explored in later novels, and really hits home with them. Especially regarding Greek Life. I've never been shy when it comes to NA college stories to say that I am probably the most anti-Greek person you'll ever meet. I've seen far too many people fall down the rabbit hole and never emerge the same person. For every good thing I see out of Greek life, I see three bad ones. Bowen really doesn't hold back on her thoughts and really reflects on the truth behind Greek Life in this story. She doesn't just showcase the fun partying, she shows some of the huge controversies and life-changing consequences of some of the things that happen in the system (even if some say they do not). I really applaud Bowen for showing such a truthful side of the system. The horrible act in question in this novel had my blood boiling. Bowen's storytelling is so exceptional that you really fall for Katie and her plight. I don't know Bowen's personal experience with the Greek system and for all I know she could be a big advocate for it, but either way I really appreciate her honesty in her storytelling. Words can't describe how awesome I felt for Bowen after reading this short story. 

Andrew does a phenomenal job of helping Katie with her problems and to 'see the light' in such a way that changes both of their lives for the better. Seriously phenomenal storytelling from all angles. Sarina Bowen has done it again!

Since this was such a short story, I'll keep this review short as well, it was amazing. Check it out people! It should come as absolutely no surprise that I am granting Blonde Date by Sarina Bowen a well-deserved 5-star review! Are you guys beginning to catch on that Sarina Bowen is pretty much the greatest thing to happen to the NA world in forever? Because she is. Add this one to your TBR people, you won't be disappointed!

*****

Check out my five star reviews of 

The Year We Fell Down (The Ivy Years #1) 

and The Year We Hid Away (The Ivy Years #2)

by clicking the covers below!

     

Alright readers, that is all I have for you on the topic of Blonde Date. This entire series is fantastic and I cannot say enough great things! Be on the lookout for my thoughts on the next novel, The Understatement of the Year, soon! Have you read this series? Let me know in the comments below! Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

Secret Voices by Lynn Donovan Blog Tour (Spotlight + Giveaway)

Title:   Secret Voices

Series:  The Spirit of Destiny Series, Book 3 (Standalone)

Author:  Lynn Donovan

Published:  March 31st, 2015

Publisher:  AltWit Press

Genre:  Paranormal Mystery

Recommended Age:  13+

Synopsis:

The voices in Keisha’s head know where her fiancé has been left for dead, but who will believe her?

Keisha Moore has a secret which has been kept hidden her entire life. But when her fiancé, Clifford Valdez, disappears and the authorities dismiss it as lovers’ remorse, she has to tell somebody. Can she make anybody understand the four voices in her head are real, and they know where Clifford has been taken? How can she save the man she loves without revealing her deepest secret?

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | GoodReads

About the Author:

Lynn Donovan spends her days chasing after her muses, trying to get them to settle down and behave long enough to write down their words and actions. The results have produced short stories published in anthologies: The Clockwork Dragon, Different Dragons II, and Supernatural Colorado. Lynn’s full-length novels include The Wishing Well Curse, Thorns of Betrayal, and Secret Voices. She has also published Rocking Horse Shadows, and Christmas Grace, Signing Seeds. Other stories are hovering out there somewhere, so keep a look out for Fertility Pirates, Echoes from the Loft, and White Blossom Cottage.

Lynn enjoys reading and writing Christian, Paranormal, and Speculative Fiction. But you never know what her muses will come up with for a story, you could see a novel under any given genre. All that can be said is keep your eyes open, cause these muses are not sitting still for long! Oops, there they go again…

Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Blog

Excerpt from Secret Voices by Lynn Donovan:

No Word from Clifford

At six o’clock Keisha pulled left-over muffins from the display case and sacked them up for the freezer. Clifford hadn’t called or texted all day. A gnawing sensation burned in her stomach. Where was he? She scanned the street through the bakery’s plate-glass windows. Every call to his cell phone had gone to his voice mail. Another call to the office itself reached the new receptionist, Gloria, who had seen him come in after his morning classes, but hadn’t seen him since. But of course, according to Clifford, she was so overwhelmed learning his old job, Santa Claus could have come in and she probably wouldn’t have noticed. Keisha had asked for his voice mail and left a message.

An empty feeling stayed with her as she locked the front door and exited out the back.

Deidre’s voice sounded muffled and sing-song. An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth. Tit for tat and all of that.

What? Are you drunk, Deidre? Keisha drove home without the radio on. She wanted to be able to hear her phone chime when Clifford called.

How could I be drunk?

Don’t know. How can you talk to me in the first place?

Point taken.

Somebody needs to shut up! Abbie jeered in a sing-song imitation.

She’ll figure it out eventually, Deidre replied back but still in the sing-song tone.

It’s not your place! Abbie sang.

“What?” Keisha turned onto her street.

Silence.

“What will I figure out eventually?”

Silence.

“You guys make me so mad, sometimes.” Keisha shoved the front door open and stomped into her house. This was another gift from Rose after she married Zeke, the deed to Rose’s parent’s house. Keisha let her purse drop onto the bench in the mud room, the entry area of the house, and hung up her coat. Glancing at her phone again, with no text reply or missed calls, she decided to call Pastor V.

Giveaway Details:

There is a tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:

Print copy of The Wishing Well Curse, Thorns of Betrayal, and Secret Voices. (1 winner US only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks so much for stopping by! Huge shoutout to the team at Juniper Grove Book Solutions for allowing me to participate in this awesome tour! Be sure to enter the giveaway before you go! Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

The Year We Hid Away (The Ivy Years #2) by Sarina Bowen Review

Hey readers! Ethan here again on this Wednesday night with another review for you guys. This novel was really special to me so I am excited to share my thoughts. What am I raving about this time? The Year We Hid Away, the second novel in Sarina Bowen's The Ivy Years series. Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the novel and our author:

She’s hiding something big. He’s hiding someone small.

Scarlet Crowley’s life was torn apart the day father was arrested for unspeakable crimes. Now the shock has worn off, but not the horror.

It’s a safe bet that Scarlet is the only first year at Harkness College who had to sneak past TV news trucks parked on her front lawn just to leave town. But college will be Scarlet’s fresh start. Clutching a shiny new student ID — with a newly minted name on it — she leaves it all behind. Even if it means lying to the boy she’s falling for.

Bridger McCaulley is a varsity hockey star known for being a player both on and off the ice. But a sobering family crisis takes that all away. Protecting his sister means a precarious living arrangement and constant deception. The only bright spot in his week is the few stolen hours he spends with Scarlet.

The two form a tentative relationship based on the understanding that some things must always be held back. But when grim developments threaten them both, going it alone just won’t work anymore. And if they can’t learn to trust one another now, the families who let them down will take everything they’ve struggled to keep.

Sarina Bowen

Sarina Bowen writes steamy, angsty contemporary romance from Vermont's Green Mountains. (Her ancestors began logging and farming Vermont during the 18th century. These were rugged, outdoor types without benefit of a laptop or a good latte. It boggles the mind.)

Sarina enjoys skiing, skating and good food. She lives in Windsor County, Vermont, with her family, eight chickens and too much ski gear and hockey equipment.

FACEBOOK * TWITTER * WEBSITE * GOODREADS

*****

My Thoughts:

Every so often we come across a book that really resonates with us. A novel that we devour from cover to cover. Cherishing each page, even though it completely breaks your heart. A novel that shoves a mirror in front of your face and makes you reflect on every choice you've made in life and wonder if you've made worthwhile decisions. A novel to make you laugh. A novel to make you cry. A novel to change your life. That novel was The Year We Hid Away. 

It is not lightly that I type this next sentence. Tying with Chelsea Fine's Best Kind of Broken, this is now my all time favorite New Adult Contemporary novel. Yes readers, you've read that right. All-time favorite. If that alone doesn't make you want to devour this read, I don't know what else I can saythat will.

I'll be honest, I have been extremely hesitant to put my thoughts to paper for this novel. I don't even have the words in my head to say how much it meant to me. I can honestly say that I've never in 23 years been touched by a book the way this one touched me. 

This was, by no means, an easy read for me. A lot of the aspects of the storyline hit a little too close to home for me and that really made all the difference. I won't go into specifics here, but this book was really a much needed wake up call for me and I can say that I'm a much better person for having read it.

The Year We Hid Away is unique in the sense that it shares not just one, but two very full stories. Each of our main characters, both Bridger and Scarlet have extremely emotional, and very full stories that are told in interweaving fashion. While their situations couldn't have been more different, their love for one another proved to be the link to each of their problems. 

Scarlet Crowley has probably drawn the roughest hand imaginable. Thrust into the throes of scandal and tragedy, 'Shannon' has no choice but to change her life by assuming a new identity. Leaving behind the life she's know in an effort to start anew. A new college, new friends, a new life. I can't personally say that I know anyone who has undergone the hardships that Scarlet has. Dealing with tragedy is a very hard thing, but it's even worse when your family is on the line. Scarlet makes some very difficult decisions throughout the novel and really has to come to terms with both the truth and who she is in order to come to terms with her situation. It was extremely hard for me to read, but Bowen write the entire uncomfortable situation with such grace and tact that I was able to enjoy every word. I appreciate Scarlet's character so much more after reading the hardships she faced.

Bridger on the other hand probably ended up being my favorite male character in NA history. I'm usually one of the biggest nay-sayers for the male characters in an NA series. They're often one-sided, egotistical to a fault, and really just thrive off the bad boy lifestyle, never assuming responsibility or stepping up and 'being a man'. Bridger McCaulley was that and so much more. Bridger doesn't have it easy, growing up poor and caring for his family, he knows that getting a college education is the most important thing he can do to help his family. On top of juggling hockey, work, school, and the typical problems a college student faces, Bridger also assumes the parental responsibilities of his younger sister, Lucy. This hit me hard. As the oldest of three children, I know how important family can be. Every word of Bridger's story was a knife in my gut. I am not an emotional reader folks, and this story broke me. I speak more time wiping my eyes than turning the pages. I caught the feels. I caught them hard.

The secondary characters were also incredible in helping this story move along. Lucy, Bridger's little sister, really stole the show on several occasions and I am so glad that Bowen gave her time to shine. Scarlet's room mates were great, as well as her uncle, who plays a great role in the stories finale. One of the greatest things about this series is that you never know who is going to pop back in for a cameo, or maybe even their own novel down the road. It's a fantastic way to read a series. This novel also features a few key scenes with Corey and Hartley from book one, The Year We Fell Down where readers get a chance to check in on one of my favorite book couples. It was great!

The character development between Bridger and Scarlet was written to near-perfection. Their intertwining storylines create one of the most intricate webs I have seen in a New Adult novel. Let this be shown as a true testament to the talent of Sarina Bowen to craft such a powerful and uplifting story full of depth and emotion, without sacrificing character development in order to succeed. Their love was beyond real to me. They not only accepted each and every fault of the others, they also worked together in the most important of way to help the other succeed.

Every time you think the story is done bringing the feels and the jaw dropping, Bowen drops another bombshell. You would be able to pick your jaw up off the floor until the very last page. And by then you will be crying so hard you'll need a new paperback copy where the ink isn't ruined (note: I read a digital version haha). 

Can I just say that I wish I had gone to Harkness College? What a fun place to be? The classical architecture, the house divisions, the amount of school spirit and campus pride? Yeah. I can definitely get behind that. I said this earlier, but I believe that Sarina Bowen has written the perfect college setting within Harkness. It's so awesome! I really got the feel that I, too, was attending classes next to these characters! Talk about reader immersion!

When it comes to the themes of this novel, Bowen really shined. Assuming responsibility, taking charge of your destiny, selflessness, maturing, and family are huge themes displayed in this novel. I can't even begin to write about each of them without making this post five pages long, but I can honestly say that Bowen couldn't have done a better job writing this novel if she tried. This is not a single thing I would change about it. 

As you guys can all clearly see, this was definitely the novel for me. It renewed my faith in the New Adult genre and I cannot wait to see what happens next. The world needs more authors like Sarina Bowen. Authors who aren't afraid to write the trust about being a New Adult. Authors who understand that college isn't all about fun. It's a stressful time fueled heartache and confusion. Balancing work, school, and any inkling of a social life isn't easy, and Bowen clearly knows that. It's so refreshing to see an author correctly portray the NA lifestyle!

When it comes to rating this novel, a five stars just does not give it justice. I'll just be completely honest. If I had the option to give it a higher score, I certainly would. It isn't often that we get the opportunity to review the novels that have changed our lives and I am so honored to say that I have gotten to here. Here's to you Sarina Bowen, you've written a literary masterpiece that will forever hold a special place in my bookish heart. 

It is with no hesitation and great honor that I am granting The Year We Hid Away by Sarina Bowen a perfect 5-star review. I am not kidding when I say this one is a new all-time favorite of mine. If you've never taken a recommendation from me before, start now and check this one out. I promise you that you will not regret it!

*****

Check out my five star review of 

The Year We Fell Down (The Ivy Years #1) 

by clicking the cover below!

Alright readers, that is all I have for you on the topic of The Year We Hid Away. As you can clearly see, I had a lot of thoughts on this read and I honestly could just keep on typing. I'm being completely serious when I say I've never been touched by a book the way I was touched by this one. What an incredible feeling. I urge you friends, get yourself a copy of this novel. This entire series is fantastic and I cannot say enough great things! Be on the lookout for my thoughts on the next novel, Blonde Date, soon! What was the last novel that touched you? Let me know in the comments below! Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

Granting Wishes (Kindling Flames Novella #1) by Julie Wetzel Review

Hey readers! Happy Wednesday! Ethan here with a short, but fun review for you to check out. As many of you will remember, I absolutely devoured the first four books in Julie Wetzel's Kindling Flames series, securing them a spot on the shelf of my all time favorites. Tonight I'm offering up my thoughts on Wetzel's Kindling Flames novella, Granting Wishes. Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the book and out author:

Title:  Kindling Flames: Granting Wishes

Series:  The Ancient Flame Series Novella

Author:  Julie Wetzel

Published:   May 26th, 2015

Publisher:  Crimson Tree Publishing

Genre:  NA Urban Paranormal Romance

Content Warning:  Violence, adult language

Recommended Age:  18+

Synopsis: Leprechauns don’t exist. Or that’s what Cathren has always believed, but a chance encounter changes everything. When she saves a handsome stranger from a nasty electrical shock, not only does he claim to be one, but he also insists on granting her wishes. Now she must decide— is he insane, or a magical creature of lore? Unsure which is true, she grabs at the first three wishes she can think of: true love, happiness, and waffles. A tall order for most men, but not for Patrick Brogan. With a little persistence and just a touch of magic, anything is possible.

Julie Wetzel

Originally from Ohio, Julie always dreamed of a job in science. Either shooting for the stars or delving into the mysteries of volcanoes. But, life never leads where you expect. In 2007, she moved to Mississippi to be with her significant other. 

Now a mother of a hyperactive red headed boy, what time she’s not chasing down dirty socks and unsticking toys from the ceiling is spent crafting worlds readers can get lost it. Julie is a self-proclaimed bibliophile and lover of big words. She likes hiking, frogs, interesting earrings, and a plethora of other fun things. 

FIND JULIE WETZEL

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

*****

My Thoughts:

Generally I am pretty 'meh' when it comes to novella. They do little to further the storyline of the series and oftentimes leave me more disappointed than satisfied. I didn't really know what to expect from this one, but I am so glad I got the chance to check it out!

Unlike the other four books in the series, Granting Wishes takes a step back and explores the rest of the paranormal world outside of Darien and Victoria's vamptastic life. Get out your gold and buckle shoes folks, Julie Wetzel's gone Irish! Granting Wishes follows the story of paranormal skeptic Cathren as she learns to cope with not only the existence of the paranormal world, but also her newfound friend, Patrick, who just so happens to be a leprechaun. 

This is a very short read, clocking in at just shy of fifty pages, but one that had me laughing my way through it. When Cathren 'catches' Patrick, she is granted three wishes (in true leprechaun fashion). Thinking it's a joke, Cathren makes three off the wall wishes that end up making for some great literary fun! 

A short tale of discovering yourself, true love, and broadening your horizons, Granting Wishes is the novella for any paranormal fans out there. Never read anything about leprechauns? I know I sure hadn't. This novel is a great place to start, though, don't start looking for little men with green coats and hats, you won't find them here. Wetzel's interpretation of the Irish folklore is beyond unique! 

Cameo appearances are made by a handful of Wetzel's other characters in this series that definitely ended up putting a huge smile on my face. Any fellow fan of the Kindling Flames series will absolutely love this novella! I only wish Julie would consider a spin-off series featuring these awesome characters!

Given my track record with this series, it should come as absolutely no surprise that I am 'granting' Granting Wishes by Julie Wetzel another well-deserved 5-star review. You guys will not be disappointed by picking up this incredible series. Four amazing novels and a novella that are sure to leave any paranormal fan begging for more. Get to one-clicking people, Kindling Flames is ready for the reading!  

*****

Click the covers below to read my 5-star reviews of 

Gathering Tinder (Kindling Flames #1), Flying Sparks (Kindling Flames #2), 

Smoke Rising (Kindling Flames #3), and Stolen Fire (Kindling Flames #4)

      

Alright folks, that's all I have for you on the topic of Granting Wishes by Julie Wetzel. I absolutely love this series and it just gets better with each passing installment. Head over and pick up your copy now. Also, head over to Julie's social media pages and give her a shout out, tell her Ethan sent ya! Be careful though, apparently, like her characters, she does bite. Watch out! Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

Broken Faith by Brandy Nacole Birthday Bash Sale

"This is it. The moment Heaven and Hell clash. But which unearthly being will win, the fallen angel or Hell’s hounds?

Overtaken by fear, I close my eyes."
Kayson is a Fallen Angel who has spent decades running from the Hell Hounds while searching for something that no one else believes can be so, not even God. Kayson is determined to find a Blood Child. But when a hound finds Kayson first, he is sure his end has come.

Falon, Alpha of the Hell Hounds, destroyer of the blood children, and devoted believer in his master’s plan, is bound and determined to drag Kayson back to Hell with him.

Sabrina is a Vampire, a half-breed created from one of Lucifer’s original blood children. After years of hiding, Sabrina’s fate changes when she finds Kayson barely alive. Against her instincts, Sabrina saves him. Now she and Kayson are both marked by the Hell Hounds.

Emma is an ordinary human, whose only problem is making ends meet, and getting over the hurt caused by her untrustworthy brother. Her everyday problems become supernatural ones when she finds Kayson and Sabrina hiding in her parent’s backyard shed.

Kayson, Sabrina and Emma are unlikely allies, thrown together by chance to fight against the most powerful creatures of the underworld in order to follow their world-changing quest. But will the broken faith of one break the faith of all?

Amazon Kobo iBooks Lulu

Excerpt

Branches scrape at my skin as I run through the dense forest. My heart is beating with a terrifying force. I can hear the beast close in on me, ready for the kill. His growls echo through the forest. I don’t know where he is, I just know I have to keep moving.

I feel like a coward for being so terrified. Once, I would have stood unwavering, waiting for the beast to show his face. But since my powers were stripped−my wings torn away−I have been left defenseless, weak, and vulnerable to the beasts set out to destroy me.

I run as fast as I can, never faltering. I may not have my powers anymore, but I still have the agility that was so unique to the angels. Moving and gliding with the winds and earth, flowing with the water as it flows lazily through the fields, to become terrorizing rapids through the twists and turns of some faraway canyon.

I burst out of the thicket that is hindering my progress, and see nothing but a dead end up ahead. I still do not falter. I make a hard left to climb up the ravine, hoping that the forest is more open at the top. That’s when the beast steps out in front of me.

The being is massive, his tremendous weight and size is such that as he passes between two trees, branches snap, and large bushes are crushed underneath his feet. I’m expecting him to attack me, pounce on the poor defenseless being he sees before him. Instead, he shifts out of his beastly form into the human disguise that he uses to inflict havoc into this world.

“That was quite a chase. I must say I haven’t had a rush like that in quite some time.” His smile is taunting.

I give him nothing; say nothing, not letting him get the satisfaction out of my fear. That’s what the hound wants, he wants to feed on me before killing me. My fear and poor show of bravery, however, is obvious, and it is feeding his pathetic excuse for a soul.

“Unfortunately for you, it will be your last attempt at saving your life.”

He lunges at me, his beast-like yet still human claws balling into fists as he tries connecting with my face. I dodge his blow as I unsheathe the only weapon I have, my trusty sword.

The beast steps back for a moment, taking in the sword in my hand. A menacing smile spreads across his face before he lunges for me again. I swing my sword out, going straight for his head. If I can get enough momentum and find the right angle, I can take his head off and end his reign of terrorizing evil.

He blocks my blow with his forearm, while his other fist connects with my ribs. I can hear as the bones break, the pain shooting through my abdomen. Ignoring the pain, I take another swing at him, but it’s blocked again as he grabs the blade, yanking me forward, the momentum smashing me into a tree.

I turn, swinging my sword with all my might. It doesn’t connect with his head but it does land a blow against his side, doing some damage. The beast screams out in pain and clutches at his side. Then it looks up at me, pure hatred and disgust radiates from the menacing scowl on the human mask it wears. “You will feel the true wrath of the hounds. I was trying to be lenient in your death but now you will have no mercy.”

The man shifts back into his true form. His smooth skin stretches, as black fur covers his body. His hands become sharp claws, and his snout extends, as razor sharp teeth that can rip skin and break through bone erupt from its jaw. When the hound stands on his back legs he towers over me by more than three feet. Snapping his jaw of razor-sharp teeth at me, I swing my sword, connecting with his snout. The tear in his skin is barely a scratch.

With lightning speed, my sword is torn from my hand as his jaws close on it and he tears it away, tossing it through the air. I know I’m no match against this beast without it. Seeing the hilt sticking up from the ground, I roll in the direction of the sword to retrieve it. The hound swipes at me with a long clawed hand, tearing into my back as I roll by him. With no time for slip-ups, I ignore the pain and continue for the sword. I can hear the beast coming after me, though this particular spot in the woods is thick with trees instead of bushes and briars, making it harder for him to move.

The beast swipes at me again through the trees, catching my leg in his grasp. Bones snap as he twists my leg, lifting me up off the ground. I scream out but continue to reach out and grab at the sword’s hilt. Pulling the sword from the ground, I swing it through the air, stabbing the hound’s hand to release me. It growls and lets me go. I land on the ground with a thud. My shoulder takes the brunt of the blow.

A loud snarl fills the air as the hound lunges for me. His jaws snap at me, ready to bite me in half. But he can’t move; his shoulders are stuck between two trees. He tries pushing forward through the trees as he stretches his neck to get a hold on me. But the hound makes no leeway past the trees. I know I can’t move in this condition, my leg is too busted up to carry me very far. My panic rises as the trees start to creak and snap from the force of the weight being pushed against them.

With each snap, the hound’s slavering muzzle comes closer. The beast lets out a growl so loud I cover my ears, then he pushes harder, snapping the tree with his mass and strength. Just as he’s about to deliver the final blow, I stab my sword up, piercing his jaw and coming out through the top of his head. The hound collapses to the ground. I guard myself as the hound falls, landing extremely close to me. His massive body shakes the ground, cracking the dry dirt.

I use my arms to drag myself away from the menacing heap of fur. Once I’m a safe distance from the hound lying on the ground, I pull myself up. I do my best to keep the weight off my busted leg. I have no choice but to leave my sword behind. The hilt is jammed under the hound, and I don’t have the strength or time to pull it out from under him.

I slowly climb out of the ravine, knowing I have to get away as fast as I can. I know the other hounds will be coming. It may take some time, but they will come. If only I had killed the hound before he unleashed the hell call.

Brandy Nacole resides in Arkansas where her imagination runs wild. Her obsession is reading but her passion is writing. She put her dream of becoming a writer on the back burner and went to college to become a psychologist. Three years after endless classes in a field she only felt half satisfied with, Brandy picked up her pen once again and wrote the outline to Uniquely Unwelcome. She finished out her degree in psychology, but traded her dream of writing for the degree and put psychology on the back burner. 

Whenever she’s not reading or writing, Brandy is spending time with her family and friends, throwing around crazy ideas, teaching , and singing like a rock star at a concert for no one else but herself. She loves plants, but unfortunately is a killer of anything that requires water but can’t voice (scream) their needs. 

She is the author of The Shadow World Series and The Spiritual Discord Series.

You guys are not going to want to miss out on your chance to grab this awesome read for only $0.99! Get your copy NOW! Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan