Wicked Fate (Wicked Luck #2) by Shannon L. Maynard Blog Tour (Interview + Giveaway)

Hey readers! Ethan here with you all on this awesome Wednesday with a fun post I'm so excited to share! Today I am the featured stop on the blog tour for Wicked Fate by the amazing Shannon Maynard! Today's post will feature an exclusive interview and a fun giveaway! Don't miss out! Here we go:

Wicked Fate (Wicked Luck #2)

By: Shannon Maynard

Release Date: August 25th, 2015

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Mystery, Adventure, Romance

Publisher: Clean Teen Publishing

How can Ava Starr's dream come true be Dax Miller's worst nightmare?

Ava's mother always told her to be careful what she wished for. From the moment Ava woke up on Lamarai Island, she wanted nothing more than to find Preston. But now that she has, her heart is caught in a fierce game of tug-of-war. In a place where danger lurks around every tree, she must quickly figure out who she can trust, and who is out to destroy her dream of a happy ever after.

Dax's plan to capture Ava's heart was all falling into place. That is, until Ava's past showed up on the island in the form of a tall, dark, and handsome pilot named Preston, leaving Dax to wonder if he's inherited Ava's wicked luck. Preston is determined to pick up his relationship with Ava where they left off before a plane crash separated them, but Dax will stop at nothing to fight for the girl of his dreams and discover the truth behind the mysterious pilot.

But Dax isn't the only one troubled by the surprise appearance of Preston and his flight crew. The new visitors to the island have caused Dax's stepsister, Roxy, to develop a bad case of sibling rivalry, as well as managed to attract the unwanted attention of a vicious tribe of cannibals. Now Dax must figure out a way to keep his new tribe of misfits safe, while Ava is left to make the most important decision of her life. Will they succeed, or will fate decide for them?

Wicked Fate is the heart-pounding sequel to Wicked Luck, a new adult adventure romance series.

Amazon | Goodreads | Kobo

~Read what others are saying about Wicked Fate~

"I love how unique this series is. It’s a mystery like none other. Shannon keeps you on your toes and you will never guess what’s around the corner. "
~Cali Mel

"I highly recommend this series, and now I’m desperately hoping for another book...There’s a love triangle, plenty of action, tragedy, and plenty of revelations throughout the entire book."

"If you want to read a unique romance, Wicked Luck and Wicked Fate are the books for you."
~Leah Nova Moss

*****

About the Author:

Shannon L. Maynard lives in Colorado with her five girls where she is a legal assistant by day and an author by night. In between working and writing she can be found driving kids to soccer, folding mountains of pink laundry, or eating her weight in chocolate. Other addictions include shoe shopping, reading YA, and Australian and British accents (which may be partly to blame for her massive crush on Thor). If she had one wish it would be for more hours in the day to spend enjoying all of the above. Okay, everything except the laundry.

Shannon studied art and criminology before getting a license in cosmetology, but eventually wound up an expert daydreamer; a skill that occasionally leads to getting lost while driving, but has been a huge asset to her love for writing. Her debut novel WICKED LUCK is set to release June 2015 and is the first book in the Wicked Luck Trilogy.

Amazon Author Page | Facebook | GoodReads | Website

*****

Exclusive Interview with Shannon Maynard

1. Wicked Luck, book one in this series, introduces the readers to a tale of mystery, romance, and adventure. What was your inspiration for this captivating plot? 

The only inspiration for my captivating plot involving cannibals was my crazy imagination and a desire to write a romance with an interesting twist. My kids were also an inspiration. They encouraged me to follow my dream of writing a novel and wanted me to write something with a little bit of mystery.

2. Based on what I’ve read so far, this series will deal with some mature themes such as love, maturity, self-responsibility, and more. What themes do you hope the readers take away from this series? 

 One theme I want readers to take away from the Wicked Luck Series, especially younger readers, is that you can’t run from problems because they will find you eventually, and the only thing you really have control of when life throws you a round of wicked luck, is your attitude and how you handle the situation. Bad luck is really just a case of life not going the way you planned. Another important theme is to never give up on your goals and dreams. And one last theme; the importance of keeping a journal.

3. Your bio shows us that Shannon Maynard is an author who wears many, many hats. What advice do you have for aspiring authors who, like yourself, find themselves operating a small haberdashery?

My life is a careful balance of time management with working, raising five girls, and being an author. If I could have one wish it would be for more hours in the day. There just isn’t enough time to accomplish everything I want to on any given day, so I’ve learned to prioritize and focus on things that matter most, like my kids and my goals and dreams, the other stuff can wait. My advice for aspiring authors in similar circumstances as me is to take advantage of every minute of free time. I have become a master of multitasking because I brainstorm constantly while doing everyday things. One thing I have sacrificed is watching TV. I do take breaks to watch a good movie, but when you have so many things that need to get done you have to be careful to leave yourself enough time to write.

4. Wicked Luck was your debut novel, and I’m hearing amazing things thus far. Tell us what it’s like to be a debut author. How has this experience treated you so far? 

 I am so excited! I always wanted to be an author so the fact that this dream has become a reality is an awesome experience. There is so much work involved that I’ve decided writing the actual book is the easy part. It has really been a learning process and I hope what I’ve learned will make releasing and promoting my future books much easier. I have a great team at Clean Teen Publishing that works miracles and they have been a joy to work with. This experience has also given me the opportunity to meet lots of wonderful people like you who are supportive and encouraging, and who are excited about the book. I hope we can meet in person in the future.

5. What sort of background research did you have to do to prepare yourself for writing the Wicked Luck series? 

I did some research on cannibals. I also interviewed my brother and a few male friends to get some insight to how they would handle certain situations, and then I used the info to help me think like a guy in order to write Dax and Preston’s POV. Ava’s character has a lot of similar personality traits to me, and I actually used some real life experiences and interactions with people for a basis to create certain events in the story.

6. Can we talk about this cover for a moment? It’s my favorite cover I’ve seen in a very long time. I’ve been raving about this cover for MONTHS now. What do you think? Give us a little bit of insight on what the creation process was like. What is the symbolism of the skull? (*Spoiler free*) 

I love the covers! I like simple covers that really catch your eye. Wicked Luck is a romance laced with mystery and adventure so I wanted something to set it apart from typical romance covers. I thought a skull would be fitting because they are stranded on an island inhabited by cannibals. Book two, Wicked Fate, is similar but instead of the vine the skull is engulfed in flames. My daughter Mia came up with that idea, and I can’t wait for everyone to see the cover of book three. She had a wickedly clever idea for that one too. ;) Myra did an amazing job of creating exactly what I had in mind.

*****

You can grab Book One, Wicked Luck, for FREE on Amazon for a Limited Time!

For the past three years, Dax has been stranded on Lamarai Island with his stepsister and two tribes of cannibals. But now a beautiful girl named Ava has washed up on shore. After secretly reading her journal, he believes she is a perfect match to the girl of his dreams. He’s determined not only to keep her alive, but also to win over her heart by convincing her to forget about her past and the secrets that continue to haunt her.

Ava Starr has always been the epitome of bad luck, but she never imagined she would wake up and find herself on a cannibal-infested island with no memory of how she got there. The last thing she remembers is boarding a plane with her pilot boyfriend, Preston. But now he and his crew are missing, and she must find him before a tribe of hungry cannibals finds him first. But Ava’s troubles have followed her to Lamarai, where once again she’s surrounded by danger and people who want her dead. She finds herself caught in a web of deceit and soon discovers the answers to her mysterious past can be found in the most unlikely of places, and that no one is actually who they seem to be.

Amazon

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Blog Tour Organized and Hosted by:

There you have it, my stop on the blog tour for Wicked Fate by Shannon L. Maynard! This post was so fun to make. Interviewing an author is always a favorite part of my job. Special shout out to the author and my friends at Clean Teen Publishing for allowing me to participate, they rock my socks off! Don't forget to add this one to your TBR! Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

Wicked Fate by Shannon L. Maynard Cover Reveal

COVER REVEAL: WICKED FATE

Stranded on a mysterious island with a handsome stranger, that's just her WICKED LUCK. There is a brand new cover in the Wicked Luck Series by Shannon Maynard. The first book in the series— Wicked Luck— releases on June 23, 2015. Since we know that readers will be clamoring for the sequel as soon as they finish the novel, book two— Wicked Fate— will release shortly after on August 25, 2015. The Wicked Luck Series is a sweet contemporary romance with an action adventure twist. All readers, including young adult readers, will enjoy this new series.

WICKED FATE by Shannon Maynard

 

From Crimson Tree Publishing — Releasing August 25, 2015

ADD TO GOODREADS

About the first book:

How can Ava Starr's worst nightmare be Dax Miller's dream come true?

For the past three years, Dax has been stranded on Lamarai Island with his stepsister and two tribes of cannibals. But now a beautiful girl named Ava has washed up on shore. After secretly reading her journal, he believes she is a perfect match to the girl of his dreams. He's determined not only to keep her alive, but also to win over her heart by convincing her to forget about her past and the secrets that continue to haunt her.

Ava Starr has always been the epitome of bad luck, but she never imagined she would wake up and find herself on a cannibal-infested island with no memory of how she got there. The last thing she remembers is boarding a plane with her pilot boyfriend, Preston. But now he and his crew are missing, and she must find him before a tribe of hungry cannibals finds him first. But Ava's troubles have followed her to Lamarai, where once again she's surrounded by danger and people who want her dead. She finds herself caught in a web of deceit and soon discovers the answers to her mysterious past can be found in the most unlikely of places, and that no one is actually who they seem to be.

Written through alternate points of view, Wicked Luck will have you grasping for answers until the final page.

PRE-ORDER WICKED LUCK TODAY:

I just have to add that these are some of my favorite book covers of all time. Holy smokes. I LOVE THIS COVER!

Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

Defend (A Lost Tribe #2) by Kallie Ross Review

Hey Readers! Happy Thursday! Ethan here with a 5-star review that's sure to rock your socks off. Looking for your next favorite read? Stop looking! I've found it for you! What am I raving about today? Defend, by Kallie Ross! Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the novel and out author!

After emerging from her Descent into an uncharted underground world, Ollie Miller is sure of three things. First, her feelings for her best friend, Mateo, are far from platonic. She can't even look at Mateo without blushing at the memory of his lips on hers. Second, an evil man named Zadok is plotting to destroy the civilization above the surface. Third, there is no way to save the earth without returning underground. At least this time, she will have her mother along with Mateo and her friends to help guide her.
On their journey, noor, a mystical blessing guides them, but only if they’re willing to follow. Ollie’s determined to save the tribe from their evil leader, even if it means facing off with her long-lost grandfather. As Zadok comes face to face with his runaway daughter and his granddaughter, his plan starts to unravel, but is it too late to stop the destruction that he put into motion? Can the tribe survive and the surface be saved? Will Ollie learn to trust her own heart before it is too late?

Defend is the conclusion to Ollie's discovery of a lost tribe in Descent. Don’t miss this adventure, brimming with ancient secrets and a thrilling underworld.

About Kallie Ross: 

Kallie Ross has a love for learning that has gravitated toward studying conspiracy theories and contradictions in our culture. Her creative conclusions have ignited a passion to write compelling young adult fiction that incorporates legend, conjecture, fantasy, and conviction. Kallie's first novel Descent: A Lost Tribe Book 1, was released last year.

Kallie Ross loves being a wife, mother, friend, writer, and teacher. She began teaching high school English in 2002 and started blogging and podcasting in 2008. She has a brilliant husband, two redheads, and never imagined her life would ever be this fun! 

KallieRoss.com ** Kallie Ross Facebook Page ** @KallieRoss Twitter ** Goodreads Page **

*****

My Thoughts:

A little over a year ago, I was introduced to a debut author with a big story to tell. A story of hope, fantasy, and exciting adventures into the unknown. At the time, I didn't have any work with debut authors under my belts. I'd heard enough horror stories to leave me a bit leery. Ever potential fear, however, was completely abated upon diving into Ollie's world in Ross' Descent. I quickly took the story and devoured its' contents as one of the most unique and original novels I read in 2014. This debut novel very quickly climbed the ranks and earned a spot on my 'Best of 2014' list.

From the day I closed the back cover to Descent, I've pondered what was next for Ollie, Mateo, and the gang. What adventures would await them in their next journey? After twelve long months of waiting, Kallie Ross has relieved us all of anxiety with the release of Defend. The thrilling, heart-stopping conclusion to the Lost Tribe duology.

Picking up shortly after the conclusion of the first novel, Kallie Ross hit the ground running and didn't stop for over two hundred pages. Unlike its' predecessor, Defend has nothing to lose. It's face paced, dark, gritty, and comes with more feels than you can ever hope to handle: Defend has it all.

When it comes to the plot, I won't say much. As this is such a quick-paced novel, I'd hate to give away any potential spoilers. While the story does end on a much happier ending, the 'getting there' sure isn't easy for our cast of characters. With Ross' clever use of some unique plot devices, she draws in the reader and leaves them hanging on, page after page. With so much happening, i even found myself having to reread passages to ensure I was following along. You have to keep up with this on folks, don't take it lightly. I will admit that I was a little shocked that a few things didn't happen, but I really loved the way Ross handled her story. She took the reins and steered it in the perfect direction for her audience.

I was worried the story would wrap itself up in a neat, glossy little package where every character got their happy ending. I was shocked to see that the ending really provided some surprising feelings. Character allegiances are tested and the plot twists will leave you rearing. There was a much darker theme to Defend than book one. As always, this is a risk in a YA novel, but in this case I really believe this played well into the favor of Ross. It's a true testament to her storytelling ability.

Defend did an incredible job of keeping with the characters and expanding on their personas for book two. The novel has a fairly large cast so it's easy to get confused with who is who and who may or may not be important. Thankfully, Ross did a fantastic job of keeping her main characters in focus. many times I see series with large casts where the author spends more time on secondary characters than focusing on where the story is heading. Ross' means of writing allowed for both character development and plot execution simultaneously. This is a big plus for any reader. The characters were complex. Ollie continues to channel her feelings towards Mateo (even if I was hoping she ended up with Gabriel, lol), while Alexis and Jesse really shine in their scenes. A handful of new characters added to the mix bring some much appreciated emotion to the storyline and really help to up the ante. Our sadistic villain, Zadok, was made to be much more human in this second installment. While we did see some truly evil moves from him, it was great to see his backstory and read about what really made him into a monster.

In true Kallie Ross spirit, the setting to this novel was spot-on. The noor filled underground caverns, ravaged by the effects of seismic activity have changed a lot since Ollie's first journey into the underground. Darkness, fear, confusion, freedom. Ross is able to display such a plethora of emotion and reflect upon numerous themes with her descriptive settings. I truly hope she pens the screenplay when this series is optioned for film!

With this timeless story of adventure and redemption, Kallie Ross has secured her spot on the bookshelf of our bookish pleasures. Fans young and old, and from all walks of life will be moved by Ross' gripping tale. This second installment proves that she is only beginning to hone her true talent. This reader cannot wait to see what the future hold for Ross and her career. I know I'll be first in line for all of her upcoming reads. What about you?

It should come as absolutely no surprise that I am granting Defend by Kallie Ross and incredible-well deserved, 5-star review. Ross wrote this story to near perfection and I am so proud to say that I loved it. I highly recommend this novel to any and all YA readers, fans of fantasy, adventure, and for those of you who are looking for a unique read you can share with your bookish friends. While I'm not sure if there are plans for more novels based in this world, I can tell you without hesitation that I would be downloading them if there were!

*****

Check out my thoughts on 

Descent (A Lost Tribe #1) 

by clicking the cover below!

Alright readers, that's all I have for you on the topic of Defend by the incredible Kallie Ross. Working with Mrs. Kallie has been one of the greatest highlights of my blogging experience. She's a class-A author and friend who lives a life full of faith and love, something I have massive amounts of respect for. If you're looking for an excellent friend and role model in the literary world, look no farther than Kallie Ross! If you get a chance, head over to her fan pages and give her a shout out, tag her on Twitter to say hey, go read her awesome blog, you won't be disappointed!

Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

Defend (A Lost Tribe #2) by Kallie Ross Release Day Launch

We are absolutely ecstatic about this Release Day Launch for Kallie Ross's DEFEND! DEFEND is a young adult fantasy adventure and the second title in the A Lost Tribe Series. Be sure to grab DESCENT, the first book in this awesome series!

 

Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** iBooks ** Smashwords

ABOUT DEFEND: After emerging from her Descent into an uncharted underground world, Ollie Miller is sure of three things. First, her feelings for her best friend, Mateo, are far from platonic. She can't even look at Mateo without blushing at the memory of his lips on hers. Second, an evil man named Zadok is plotting to destroy the civilization above the surface. Third, there is no way to save the earth without returning underground. At least this time, she will have her mother along with Mateo and her friends to help guide her. On their journey, noor, a mystical blessing guides them, but only if they’re willing to follow. Ollie’s determined to save the tribe from their evil leader, even if it means facing off with her long-lost grandfather. As Zadok comes face to face with his runaway daughter and his granddaughter, his plan starts to unravel, but is it too late to stop the destruction that he put into motion? Can the tribe survive and the surface be saved? Will Ollie learn to trust her own heart before it is too late? Defend is the conclusion to Ollie's discovery of a lost tribe in Descent. Don’t miss this adventure, brimming with ancient secrets and a thrilling underworld.

Read the First Chapter of DEFEND here!

   

And don’t miss the first book in the series, DESCENT!

 

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble

Praise for DESCENT: “Descent is a gripping debut that takes you on a roller coaster - a page turner that has you asking - what happens next. I loved every single word of it.” Fangirlish.com  

Add DEFEND on Goodreads and Facebook!

DEFEND Goodreads ** A Lost Tribe Facebook

About Kallie Ross: 

Kallie Ross has a love for learning that has gravitated toward studying conspiracy theories and contradictions in our culture. Her creative conclusions have ignited a passion to write compelling young adult fiction that incorporates legend, conjecture, fantasy, and conviction. Kallie's first novel Descent: A Lost Tribe Book 1, was released last year.

Kallie Ross loves being a wife, mother, friend, writer, and teacher. She began teaching high school English in 2002 and started blogging and podcasting in 2008. She has a brilliant husband, two redheads, and never imagined her life would ever be this fun! 

KallieRoss.com ** Kallie Ross Facebook Page ** @KallieRoss Twitter ** KallieRossWrites Tumblr ** Descent: A Lost Tribe Facebook Page ** Goodreads Page ** Read more about DESCENT ** DEFEND: Read Chapter 1

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Waiting on Wednesday {30}

Hey everyone and welcome to my weekly Waiting on Wednesday meme post! This is just a once a week deal where each Wednesday I post about one book I am looking forward to reading and then link it up to the host blog, Breaking the Spine, where I can be connected to over 200 other readers and bloggers who are looking for a new read! My friend Kim from kimberlyfayereads participates in this meme each week and it has always looked like a great time. Below you will find the book cover, synopsis, Goodreads link and my reasons for waiting on this read! Enjoy!

This week's WOW is... Descent by Kallie Ross!

Title: Descent (The Lost Tribe #2)

Author: Kallie Ross

Genre: Young Adult/Adventure/Fantasy
Release Date: May 21, 2015

After emerging from her Descent into an uncharted underground world, Ollie Miller is sure of three things. First, her feelings for her best friend, Mateo, are far from platonic. She can't even look at Mateo without blushing at the memory of his lips on hers. Second, an evil man named Zadok is plotting to destroy the civilization above the surface. Third, there is no way to save the earth without returning underground. At least this time, she will have her mother along with Mateo and her friends to help guide her.

On their journey, noor, a mystical blessing guides them, but only if they’re willing to follow. Ollie’s determined to save the tribe from their evil leader, even if it means facing off with her long-lost grandfather. As Zadok comes face to face with his runaway daughter and his granddaughter, his plan starts to unravel, but is it too late to stop the destruction that he put into motion? Can the tribe survive and the surface be saved? Will Ollie learn to trust her own heart before it is too late?
Defend is the conclusion to Ollie's discovery of a lost tribe in Descent. Don’t miss this adventure, brimming with ancient secrets and a thrilling underworld.

*********************************************************************************
Why am I waiting?

Some of you may remember last summer when I was introduced to a debut author with a big story to tell. I took the plunge into the unknown and fell in love with Descent, making it my favorite debut novel of 2014. Kallie Ross' incredible talent, perfect infused with a story full of fantasy and suspense was more than enough to make me one of her biggest fans and supporters! We need more authors like Kallie Ross on the market, folks! To say that I'm pumped for this one would be an understatement! Defend is going to pick up right after the big reveal in the finale of Descent and will find our heroes, once again, on a journey beneath the Earth's surface. This time there's so much more at stake than their own futures! Ross announced that Defend will be the conclusion to this exciting duology, leaving me both sad and excited for what she could possibly have up her sleeve next! Do yourself a favor and add this series to your TBR, you won't be disappointed!
*********************************************************************************

What are YOU waiting on this week?

Check out this week's host post at Breaking the Spine by clicking here!

Thanks for stopping by, Happy Reading! 

-Ethan

Hey friends! In case you missed my big announcement last week, I have some absolutely incredible news! I am honored to announce that One Guy's Guide to Good Reads was nominated for Best Blog of the Year at UtopYA! The UtopYA Awards honor the best of the best within the literary world and I am beyond blessed to be up for consideration. Nobody is quite sure how my name got thrown up in there, so.... I encourage everyone to go vote before they realize the error ;)

Also, while you are there, cast your votes for some of my all-time favorite authors! If you have questions, please don't hesitate to shoot me a message! Voting is open until Thursday 5/21! Don't forget to vote! Share with your friends and get the word out! There are some incredible nominees this year and I cannot wait to see who walks home with an award!

I cannot thank you all enough for your constant support over the past year! God Bless and Happy Reading (and Voting)!

**Follow the link below to cast your vote**

http://bit.ly/voteutopyaawards2015

{Book Blast} Anthem's Fall by S.L. Dunn + GIVEAWAY

Hello readers and welcome to my stop on the book blast for Anthem's Fall by S.L. Dunn! Here's the book specs and the cover plus synopsis!


Title: Anthem's Fall  
Author: S.L. Dunn  
Genre: Adventure, Science-Fiction  
Release Date: June 16, 2014

Anthem's Fall synopsis:


Above a horrified New York City, genetics and ethics collide as the fallen emperor and a banished exile of the same herculean race ignite into battle over the city’s rooftops. In the streets below, a brilliant young scientist has discovered a technology that can defeat them both, yet might be more terrible than either.

Set both in modern New York City and in the technologically sophisticated yet politically savage world of Anthem, Anthem’s Fall unfurls into a plot where larger than life characters born with the prowess of gods are pitted against the shrewd brilliance of a familiar and unlikely heroine.

Get your copy TODAY!

Author Bio+GIVEAWAY

 

S.L. Dunn

S.L. Dunn is the debut author of Anthem’s Fall, a novel he wrote amid the wanderings of his mid twenties. He has written while living intermittently in St. John USVI, Boston, Maine and Seattle. Raised on big screen superheroes and pop science fiction, he sought to create a novel that bridged a near-sci-fi thriller with a grand new fantasy. He currently resides in Seattle with his girlfriend Liz and their dog Lucy, and is hard at work completing the next book of the Anthem’s Fall series. 

Find S.L. Dunn

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook ** Goodreads *

GIVEAWAY

--Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

3 Winners will receive an E-Copy of Anthem's Fall by S.L. Dunn.
1 Winner will receive a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway


Alright guys, there you have it! The book blast for S.L. Dunn's Anthem's Fall! Be sure to enter the awesome giveaway above! This is one book that I am really looking forward to reading. It isn't often that I come across an interesting read written by a male, so I am very excited to check it out.

Special shout out to the amazing team over at Jean Book Nerd for allowing me to participate. You guys are always a such a pleasure to work with! Thank you so much! Until next time guys, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

Gifted (Donovan Circus #1) by Liz Long Review + GIVEAWAY

Hello readers and Happy Wednesday to ya! I'm coming down from my high after the amazing response I received from my #TopeReads2014 post I did yesterday (check it out by clicking here) and wanted to keep the fun going with another awesome post for you guys today! Today I am going to be reviewing for you guys an awesome novel by one of the fantastic indie authors I had the great pleasure of meeting at UtopYA a couple of weeks ago, Mrs. Liz Long! While this isn't Liz's newest novel, it is her debut novel and the first in a series I HAD to check out! I'll explain just why later. Today, we're checking out Gifted by Liz Long! Never heard of it? That's okay, because by the end, I can promise you you'll be wanting to know you YOU can get your hands on a copy for yourself!

First off, let's start off with the official synopsis and cover for Gifted!

Even in a world of freaks, being a Firestarter is considered a dangerous Gift.

Lucy was born with the ability to create and control fire. She longs to leave the human world for one filled with Earthshakers, Transporters, and Chameleons, to name a few. When she rejoins the circus, it’s everything she hoped it could be: new friends, a potential love interest or two, and a place where she can be herself.

When troupe members begin turning up dead, however, Lucy is suspected of foul play. She must not only prove her innocence but also realize the full extent of her power. To find the real murderer, she must uncover the truth behind her father’s fiery legacy while figuring out whom to trust within her new circle. Little does she know the history of the Donovan Circus and its enemies might actually destroy the entire gifted world.


 **Add Gifted on Goodreads**


Can we talk about this cover for just a second. How cool is that?! Seriously one of the coolest and most unique covers I have ever seen. Ultimately what spoke to me while checking out Gifted! Cover is circus-themed, fireball front and center. what more could you ask for? Seriously. Going on my list of favorite book covers! If I ever write a book, I know who I'm contacting, just saying!

Now that we've read the synopsis and that AMAZING book cover, let's learn a little bit about out author, Liz Long:


Liz Long

Liz Long is a ridiculously proud graduate of Longwood University with a BA in English. Her inspiration comes from action and thriller genres and she spends entirely too much time watching superhero movies. Her fabulous day job as a social media editor includes writing for a publishing company in Roanoke, VA.

Her first book, Gifted, is the first book in the Donovan Circus series. Burned is the second adventure. Her second book Witch Hearts, a story about a serial killer hunting witches for their powers, is available at Amazon on Kindle and paperback.

To learn more about Liz, visit her website: http://lizclong.com.

Find Liz Long

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook ** Liz Long’s Goodreads *

Before we get to the awesomeness of my thoughts on Gifted, I have two videos I would like to share with you! First: the official book trailer for Gifted!

         


The second video I have to share with you guys is a real treat. This Google hangout actually took place just this evening and features Liz reading an excerpt from Gifted as well as answering questions about the series from bloggers! Very cool insight and way to hear all about Gifted from the author!

         


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My Thoughts on Gifted:

As I type this I have JUST finished Gifted and have so much to say I can't hardly get it all down in time. Let me just say this: I am completely and utterly speechless. I love paranormal, I love New Adult fiction, and I LOVE anything circus themed but holy-hell Batman, I was NOT expecting that read to effect me the way it did. Woah. Seriously. If I was to do a Top 5 Reads of 2014 (that weren't necessarily publishing in 2014) Gifted would be VERY high on that list. Okay, let me calm down and start from the beginning.


Circus life is one of my very favorite things to learn about. As a historian, I have always been drawn into the history of the American circus. I'm not going to go into a rant here, but lets just say that circus life has had one long and interesting history over the past two centuries. Whenever I think of a circus theme or a side show or "freaks", my mind immediately goes to a 1930's-ish vibe with sideshows and sword swallowers and bearded ladies and I love it! Has anyone seen that movie Freaks? Seriously the scariest movie I have ever seen, but anyways. I. Love. Circus. History. This is why I was drawn to Gifted. At UtopYA I was literally walking down the hallway and saw Liz's circus themed table and literally stopped in my tracks and walked up to her and said "is your book about a circus'". THAT'S how drawn in I was. Gifted, however proved to be way more special than even I thought.


The first thing that shocked me about Gifted was it's setting. Not that it takes place in a circus, but the time period. While the specific date could be argued, it takes place in a relatively modern time period. While there is no discussion of cell phones, there are discussions of video games and nice RV campers that definitely give the book a modern feel. I have never read a modern day circus themed anything. That was a HUGE plus for me.

Secondly, the characters were AMAZING. Okay. First we have Lucy, our main female character who is this awesome "fiery" redheaded, 24 year old firestarter who is returning to Donovan Circus to start over. Upon arriving we meet Sheffield Donovan, ringleader for the circus with a few secrets of his own. Later we meet fellow firestarters Nikolas and Keegan (also good-guy love interest), the Greek room mate and runner, Delia (I read all of her dialogue with an accent, darn my year of Russian), Finley the shapeshifter, Bianca the transporter, Brooklyn the telepath, and a whole host of other amazing characters with some awesome powers like controlling the elements (a personal favorite of mine), telekinesis, and SO MANY MORE! Oh by the way, did I mention Gabriel? No. Oh yeah, well, he just happens to be the bad boy love interest who may end up being the coolest character in the book and has a passive power, he's an Empath! Crazy right? Imagine what this cast of characters do when pitted against one of the most most evil of book villains I have read in ages! Yes. This is definitely a read you wont regret.

Many of the review claim it's like X-Men meets the circus, well guess what everyone? X-Men is quite possibly the most amazing thing in the world, in my book. You probably won't meet a bigger X-Men fan than me. We've actually talked about this before on one of my Chelsea Fine posts (because she is a fellow X-Men fan as well)!  Those reviewers were spot-on! And to talk of Long's writing? Any author who can write an amazing New Adult paranormal fantasy novel and include as many superhero and Star Wars references as she was able to is definitely a plus in my book! I particularly enjoyed the entire scene devoted to conversations about the casts favorite superheroes including some nods to one of my favorite X-Men who would actually make a lot of sense in this novel: John Allerdyce (bonus points if you know who he is without looking it up). Many may look at this and think "how could this possibly be a NA read?". Well, I won't spoil any plotlines, but Long is quite the word wizard. She gifts us this fantasy filled world and then throws in some very adult elements such as sexual abuse and inhumane and ruthless murder. Got your attention now? So while this may seem like a fun YA read, don't let it fool you! I was pleasantly surprised! There is also drinking and lots of smoking (it's a circus, d'uh) just in case you still thought it was a YA. Don't let it deter you though!

As many of you guys know, I love and support the NA genre to the fullest but have had an awful time as of late coping with the sudden direction the genre has taken. What started out as a fun new genre about the experiences of college age adults (18-26ish) has now essentially turned into YA+Explicit Sex. That's not how I roll. I am all about a romance in a novel, but I don't want to read a story where the romance is the story! Gifted is EXACTLY what I am looking for. If you guys listened to the video above you will have heard Liz describe Gifted in two ways: first it's an adventure and second it's a mystery. No talk of it being a romance at all. This is a perfect read for any guys out there who are looking for a read to enter into the NA genre! While there is a romance/love-triangle in the story, it is very well written (perhaps a little one sided, or maybe that was just me)! It does not lead the story, but it does build the storyline in some very important ways. Seriously guys. I can't say enough about what this novel/series could be doing for the NA genre with enough help from readers and bloggers!

The storyline of the novel actually finished up with a very nice ending that paves the way for several more books in the series. While I have only read the first, I will be starting book two, Burned, immediately. After speaking with Long, I have learned that there is a draft of book three and the potential for several more in the series. I can't speak for anyone else, but I will say with certainty that this fanboy will be reading every one of them. Kudos to Long on her debut novel. I have been thoroughly impressed! Another thing I really could not stop thinking about while reading this is the enormous possibilities this series have if it were adapted into a television show. I often think about that with books and think that this would DEFINITELY go over great as a TV series. To any TV people out there *flashing light here*! All-in-all a five star read for me over here. I don't have a rating system in place here, but this book is pretty doggone high on my favorites list right now! Check it out everyone, you will not be disappointed!


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Alright guys, now that you've read all about Gifted, you probably want to know where you can get your hands on a copy for yourself! As of right now the book is available in both ebook and print format from Amazon! Here's a promo graphic for where you can get your copy of Gifted today! Feel free to share/use this graphic! 

Click this little guy to order your copy of Gifted now!

What would an awesome review be without an even more awesome giveaway to follow? You read that right, it's GIVEAWAY time!! Up for grabs this time are 2 ebooks of Gifted! 4 super easy entries available. You guys know the routine! Fill out the Rafflecopter below!

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Alright guys, that's all I have for you on the topic of Gifted by the amazing Liz Long! I would really love to hear from anyone who reads this incredible novel so we can talk all about it! After you read it be sure to review it on both Amazon and Goodreads! Review always are huge helps to authors. Recommend this to friends, they won't be disappointed! Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan