Paranormal Keepers by Jen Naumann Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway

Hey readers and welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Paranormal Keepers by Jen Naumann! This was an awesome read for me and I am very excited to share my thoughts with you guys here today! Today's stop will feature my thoughts as well as an awesome giveaway. Before we get to all that though, let's learn a bit about the book and our author, Jen Naumann:

Paranormal Keepers by Jen Naumann
Publication date: March 11th 2014
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult

Everyone thinks Harper Young killed her boyfriend. No one will say it to her face, but the signs are everywhere.

It’s almost been a year since Gavin was torn from Harper’s arms and brutally murdered. The police wrote it off as a freak accident, deciding Harper’s strange testimony was given under duress. But she knows something unnatural was involved and refuses to stop looking until she finds his killer, even if it means her reputation as a senior is ruined. Even if it means there really are monsters living among us.

With the discovery of the mothmen, witches, vampires and all the creatures she always suspected were out there, Harper finds herself amidst a complex bundle of unseen heroes who call themselves “Keepers”, sworn to keep the secret of the paranormal creatures that walk this earth. As she tries to understand what’s so special about her that she’s able to break an old Keeper law, Harper has a baffling vision of kissing a mysterious guy before a blade is brought down on him. Before she can get a handle on her future, she becomes central to a battle between the questionable “heroes” and the evil she’s been training to fight, leaving her to wonder if there’s any way to change the fate that has been foretold before it’s too late.

Jen Naumann

Jen Naumann grew up in southern Minnesota as an addict of such flicks as Indiana Jones and The Goonies until she discovered John Hughes, and spent her high school days locked away writing love stories with a sci-fi twist. Married to a farmer in southern Minnesota, she tries to follow the madness of her four active children while balancing an imagination that never shuts down. As the author of CHEATING DEATH, SHYMERS, AND PARANORMAL KEEPERS, she writes stories with strong female leads who have a good sense of humor and tend to fall in love despite their better judgment. For more on Jen visit her website www.JenNaumann.net.

WEBSITE | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

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My Thoughts:

If you are new to this blog, you may not know it, but I am absolutely obsessed with all things paranormal. It is, hands down, my favorite genre to read. From witches, to vamps; from time travel to elementals: paranormal is MY thing. You can only imagine how excited I got when I first signed up on the blog tour for this novel. Yes, I got THAT excited. Thankfully, in the end, all the excitement paid off, because this read was truly one of a kind!

The first chapter of Paranormal Keepers was one of the best openings to a novel I have read in ages. Seriously, I was puled in from chapter one. The relationship and character dynamic between Gavin and Harper was phenomenal. There was seriously a fantastic story going there, then Gavin got the ax. WHY JEN WHY!? Seriously. I loved where that was going, I was not expecting him to kick the bucket in the very beginning! Ha!

Okay, one negative here. Many, many, of the review for this novel talk about how strong it started out and then the story changed. I will completely agree with that. In the beginning we get this extremely dark, scary feel for what is going on in the novel. It was a very mature-YA feel and I absolutely loved it. Then, very suddenly, we are whisked into this "university" and then the novel completely changed for me. Any time a book has some sort of boarding school, university, etc, the novel immediately takes a turn for the YA. In this instance it was actually kind of disappointing. The entire feel of the novel changed for me with just one sentence. It wasn't a bad change, per se, just not one that I was expecting. Nor was I ready to accept it. This read could have very easily stayed on the horror side of paranormal, but then it jumped back to the younger side of YA. I would be lying if I didn't say that didn't take away a bit from the experience for me.

Now, that being said, I still greatly enjoyed this novel. When Harper's world is 'officially' opened up the world of all things paranormal: vamps, witches, etc, some fun things begin to happen. What would happen if we lived in a world where paranormal beings did exist and were protected by a secret organization whose one job was to keep their existence a secret? A bunch of thing. A bunch of fun, crazy things. Think Men in Black, but with paranormal critters. Seriously, that was a fun take on the genre. I really appreciated what Jen was able to do with this story. While it did take a big directional turn, the end result was still a very satisfying novel that I was glad to have read.

This was a relatively short read, clocking in at right around 200 pages on my ecopy, so any quick reader will fly through this pretty fast. Especially with the fun filled, fast paced plot line that Jen has written for this story. From the mysteries of life to the tragedy of death, Jen touches base on a number of interesting themes with this read. There are lots of lessons to be learned in the pages of of a good paranormal novel, and this one is no exception!

All-in-all, I was really impressed by Paranormal Keepers. It may not have been EXACTLY everything I was hoping it would be, but I still found the read to be enjoyable all around. I am granting this read a well deserved 4-star review! I cannot wait to read more of this authors work. Jen has a beautiful writing voice that really leaves the reader begging for more. I think that anyone who checks out this novel will definitely be able to agree with that! Kudos to you Jen Naumann, here's to many more! :)

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Alright readers, that's all I have for you on the topic of Paranormal Keepers by Jen Naumann! An awesome read that definitely left me wanting more! Good news for me that Paranormal Legends, book two in the series, is slated for release next year, woohoo! Did it sound like the read for you? If so, definitely check out the Goodreads and buy links above to learn more and get your copy! Before you leave, make sure to enter that awesome giveaway, I'm hoping I win this one! Special shout out to the author and the awesome team at XPresso Book Tours for allowing me to participate. Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan  

A Touch of Nerves by DC Hampton Blog Tour: Author's Favorite Books + Giveaway

Hey all and welcome to my stop on the book tour for A Touch of Nerves by DC Hampton! Today's stop will include a list of the author's favorite books as well as an awesome giveaway! Before we get to that though, let's learn a bit about the book and the author!

Publisher: New Shelves Publishing Services
Format: Paperback | 248 pages
Publication date: 1 January 2013
ISBN 10: 0989150402
ISBN 13: 9780989150408

A FRESH LOOK AT 21ST CENTURY TERRORISM
--New novel explores America’s role in the Middle East


When Army Captain Ben Hawkins discovers chemical weapons missing from a military research facility, he begins an investigation into preventing a possible terrorist attack. The suspects? Two rogue Iranian agents who blame the deaths of their family members on the United States. What Hawkins doesn’t expect is to find himself forced to decide whether to risk his career—and possible arrest—to stop the attack, even if it means working with a foreign agent.

D.C. Hampton’s debut novel, A Touch of Nerves, may be set on the battlefield of America’s “War on Terror,” but the book is a far cry from your typical action narrative. Inspired by his two sons who served in Iraq and the Persian Gulf during the Iraq War and his own time serving in the U.S. Army, Hampton brings depth and humanity to characters that might otherwise be painted in the two-dimensional “hero” or “villain” archetypes. With Hampton’s passion for history and global affairs, A Touch of Nerves brings a fresh perspective to the long history of tension between the United States and Iran.

“I wanted to write a story that was worth telling, realistic and suspenseful,” says Hampton. “I believe the book is entertaining, but it also sheds light on the complex relationship between Iran and the United States and explores the complex emotions and issues that drive some individuals to commit terrible acts.”

“The story includes a wealth of details as Hampton weaves a complex plot,” writes Kirkus Reviews. “A conceivable threat and suspense-filled plot keep readers engaged until the end. Hampton eschews the genre’s typical plot holes and vague facts and his handle on international relations gives the terrorists credible motivations.”

You can purchase A Touch of Nerves at the following Retailers:

D.C. Hampton holds an MA and PhD in Audiology from Columbia University and has been published extensively in the field. He has done graduate work in history and has always been interested in international relations. Though he has been extensively published in medical and trade publications, A Touch of Nerves is his first foray into fiction.

WEBSITE | GOODREADS


Author's Favorite Reads of 2014

• Guardians of the Revolution
• Freakonomics
• The Submission
• The Infidel
• Naval History of the War of 1812
• The Speeches of Winston Churchill
• Breakfast with Socrates
• The Hidden Reality: Parallel Universes
• The Sycamore Tree
• The Scarlet Pimpernel

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Well what do you guys think? Does A Touch of Nerves sound like the book for you? If so, check i tout at the links above! Thanks so much to Jean and her crew at Jean Book Nerd for allowing me to participate in this blog tour! Don't forget to enter the giveaway! Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

The Witch Must Burn by Danielle Paige Review

Hey readers and Happy Monday! I know, that is the most depressing saying of the week, but someone has to say it. Okay. TODAY I am so excited to bring you the review to the novella I waited nearly seven months for... drumroll please! ....... The Witch Must Burn by Danielle Paige! The second prequel novella in her Dorothy Must Die series. Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the book and about our author, the incredible Danielle Paige!

There’s a new Wicked Witch in Oz—and her name is Dorothy. This digital original novella is the second installment in the prequel arc to the edgy and exciting New York Times bestseller Dorothy Must Die.
Dorothy Gale is back . . . and she’s not the sweet little heroine of Oz anymore. She’s power-hungry and vicious, and she leaves a trail of destruction beneath her spike-heeled, magical shoes. But behind the scenes, there’s someone else pulling the strings. Someone who doesn’t want fame or glory—just control.
Glinda of the North brought Dorothy back to Oz for a reason. And in The Witch Must Burn, a young maid is about to discover that a witch who says she’s Good might be the most dangerous kind of Wicked. 

Danielle Paige 

Danielle lives in NY. Before turning to YA, she worked in television & was nominated for several Daytime Emmy's. Dorothy Must Die is her first novel. 

Find Danielle Paige 

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS |

Best part about this novella? It's only $2.99! Yeah! That's a steal! Before we get to my thoughts, you guys should be made aware that this is the second prequel novella to a series. It's predecessor and 'sequel' have already been released in the form of There's No Place Like Oz and Dorothy Must Die! If you guys don't know much about those two reads, check out my reviews and more by clicking on the covers below!

 

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My Thoughts:

Seven months ago I found out that a debut author was getting ready to release her retelling of Oz. I will openly admit that I groaned when I heard this. It was not until after I read the synopsis that I thought, "hmm... this has potential". So, I jumped right now with the first novella and quickly decided that Danielle Paige was the next Queen of Oz. It only took me 75 pages to realize that this was the real deal. Oz had sat on the backburner for far too long. I was beginning to think I was the only person keeping up with Oz these days, then DP hit the stage and suddenly Oz was in the spotlight, AGAIN! 

I have not had much luck with females in Oz. I don't know what it is, but for some reason the female writers just haven't captured L. Frank Baum's image of Oz the way I would have liked. Then I met Danielle Paige. Finally, someone who could not only update Oz, but reintroduce it to an entirely new generation of readers. Thank Lurline!  So you guys have probably seen or heard of my thoughts on Danielle's other two OZ novels, so let's get down to TWMB!

This was an extremely short novella (only about 70 pages on my Nook), but it was a fairly complete story. Unlike our other novella that was about Dorothy and her return to Oz, this novel follows a summer in the life of Jellia Jamb, Head Maid of the Emerald Palace. Well... she was just a head maid. Now I'm not exactly sure WHAT she is! (Keep reading the series to learn more about Jellia's role in the story)

Basically we get a short story about what happens to Jellia after she is whisked out of the Emerald Palace and sent to work as the "Good Witch of the South", Glinda's, Head Maid for the summer. It was just as sickening as you can imagine. So much pink. *shudders*

Glinda, Dorothy, and the Scarecrow have teamed up the begin the horrible process of mining the magic from Oz. Using methods ranging from Munchkin labor, Magic, and the Scarecrow's new drill, Oz is being sucked dry and the terrible trip needs Jellia's help to continue down this retched path. Will Jellia help them in fear or resist in order to do her part to restore Oz to its' former glory? With Ozma still nowhere near "normal", Oz is under Dorothy's thumb unless Jellia can do something about it. Sounds like Oz needs a savior. *cough* Amy Gumm *cough*

Jellia proved to be an awesome character in this novel. It was so great to actually learn the backstory of a character who has been around for 114 years! Yes, you read that right, Jellia was actually mentioned, unnamed, in the original The Wonderful Wizard of Oz story! Crazy right? What a long time to go without a proper time in the spotlight! Kudos to DP for giving these lesser known characters their time to shine!

As anyone who has read my previous reviews knows, I am not a fan of Dorothy. Never have been. I WAS a fan of Glinda until  Dorothy Must Die came along and now I am team Glamora all the way! Oh, and I know what you are thinking, "what about the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked?". And that's a great question, I'm glad you asked. They actually play a rather large role in the storyline. Turns out they have been recruiting for quite some time!

Fans of Nox. Gert, Mombi (ahh Mombi!), and Glamora can read easy knowing they will see their favorite characters! It may be brief and leave you with more questions than it answered, but The Witch Must Burn is definitely a must read for fans of this series!

I do have to say that I am really interested to see how the events of this story will play out int he rest of the series, because I really don't see where it fits in with DMD. I know Danielle will have a plan, as she has not steered me wrong yet! This definitely will tide me over until The Wicked Will Rise releases on March 31, 2015!

All-in-all I am granting this awesome little novella a 4.5-star rating from me! Full of more Oz nods and lore than I can mention and it DEFINITELY left me itching for me. I cannot wait to see what comes next from DP!
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Okay guys, I don't have to rave all night long for all my readers to know how much I love all things Oz. I've said it before, and I'll say it once again, Oz is MY THING! I have read so much Oz that I sometimes forget where Oz ends and my realm begins. I am seriously obsessed. After a stream of authors who really couldn't capture L. Frank Baum's image, the Oz community was blessed to have been granted Danielle Paige. She is the Ozian savior in every sense. Oz has fallen out of the limelight and thanks to her, an entire new generation of readers are discovering the land I fell in love with many, many years ago! I highly encourage any reader, Oz fan or not to check out this series, I promise you will NOT be disappointed! Until next time, Happy Reading and Ozspeed!

-Ethan

The Witch Must Burn by Danielle Paige Release Day!

Hey everyone! I'm not officially on some sort of release day launch for this novella or anything, but I still wanted to make a quick promo post to get the word out to my readers! Today the highly anticipated second prequel novella to my favorite book of the year cam out! What book was that? Dorothy Must Die! Today I am proud to present to you guys The Witch Must Burn by my amazing friend and fantastic author, Mrs. Danielle Paige! Here's a bit about the book, the author, and the buy links to get you excited!

There’s a new Wicked Witch in Oz—and her name is Dorothy. This digital original novella is the second installment in the prequel arc to the edgy and exciting New York Times bestseller Dorothy Must Die.
Dorothy Gale is back . . . and she’s not the sweet little heroine of Oz anymore. She’s power-hungry and vicious, and she leaves a trail of destruction beneath her spike-heeled, magical shoes. But behind the scenes, there’s someone else pulling the strings. Someone who doesn’t want fame or glory—just control.
Glinda of the North brought Dorothy back to Oz for a reason. And in The Witch Must Burn, a young maid is about to discover that a witch who says she’s Good might be the most dangerous kind of Wicked. 

Danielle Paige 

Danielle lives in NY. Before turning to YA, she worked in television & was nominated for several Daytime Emmy's. Dorothy Must Die is her first novel. 

Find Danielle Paige 

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS |

Best part about this novella? It's only $2.99! Yeah! That's a steal! I am only about halfway through this novella right now, but I'm already positive I will love it just as much as it's predecessors There's No Place Like Oz and Dorothy Must Die! If you guys don't know much about those two reads, check out my reviews and more by clicking on the covers below!

 

Okay guys, I don't have to rave all night long for all my readers to know how much I love all things Oz. I've said it before, and I'll say it once again, Oz is MY THING! I have read so much Oz that I sometimes forget where Oz ends and my realm begins. I am seriously obsessed. After a stream of authors who really couldn't capture L. Frank Baum's image, the Oz community was blessed to have been granted Danielle Paige. She is the Ozian savior in every sense. Oz has fallen out of the limelight and thanks to her, an entire new generation of readers are discovering the land I fell in love with many, many years ago! I highly encourage any reader, Oz fan or not to check out this series, I promise you will NOT be disappointed! Until next time, Happy Reading and Ozspeed!

-Ethan

The 13th Descent by KY Lehman Book Blitz

Hey readers and Happy Tuesday! Ethan here with an awesome book blitz post for you guys! This time we're featuring The 13th Descent by Ky Lehman! Here's a bit about the book and our author:

The 13th Descent by Ky Lehman
(Rosefire Trilogy #1)
Publication date: August 30th 2014
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult

ONE CHOICE CAN MAKE AN IMMORTAL HUMAN. BUT WHAT CHOICES NEED TO BE MADE TO GO BACK AGAIN?
The revolutionary year following Serenay “Ren” Avalon’s eighteenth birthday could rival Clark Kent’s entire adolescence. After her mother and her grandmother were killed in a car bomb explosion at the heart of their sleepy hillside town where nothing extraordinary usually happens, she discovers that her mother is actually alive and in hiding, her long lost father is a Father, and her best friend, who turns out was once an Archangel, has taken a gargantuan step back in his evolution to live on Earth with her for the past thirteen lifetimes. And besides being the only one in her immediate circle with a serious case of past life dementia, she learns that during her first lifetime, she was married to one of the greatest teachers history has ever known who is now the gorgeous lead singer of a hot new rock band taking the world by storm, and who is keen to meet up with her again in the twenty first century.

As Ren realizes that the powerful family name she bears also brings with it the promise of an unnatural death, she is reminded that it has always brought hope to people on both sides of the veil, human and Tor. As the world draws closer to being completely shrouded by the dark cloaks of her age-old enemies, the Bloodstones, she now, more than ever before, has to draw strength from her origins to protect her family and their ancient truth from this global force responsible for torturing and killing centuries of her ancestors. As she struggles to unearth who she was, who she is, and who she chooses to be, as well as the expectations of her first mortal love and the heavenly love she has always guiltily denied, she has until midnight on the Solstice find a way to bring light to a compromised heart and to a world on the brink of perpetual darkness.

This first book in The Rosefire Trilogy is a reminder of how the choices we make in the throes of love, loss, hope, and adversity are what makes the divine human, and the human divine.

Ky Lehman 

KY LEHMAN is a novelist, a children's author, a teacher of swimming and water safety, wife to her high school sweetheart and the proud mother of their three very tall sons. She lives in the Yarra Ranges, Victoria, Australia with her husband and their children where she is currently writing the second book in The Rosefire Trilogy, The 13th Rising.

Author links:

TWITTER| FACEBOOK| AMAZON| GOODREADS 

Interview with KY Lehman

What inspires you?

Courage - witnessing a trail blazer hacking their way through harsh, unwelcoming terrain and making their way through to the other side.

Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?

Ren is a well-practised trailblazer! Even though she doesn't remember or acknowledge that about herself right away. She is loved by people from all walks of life, and adored by those special few who have seen behind the armour, and she has so much love to give, but instead of allowing herself to embrace, revel and grow in all that love, she insists on restraining and harnessing it, riding high up on its back in the one position where she doesn’t have to look it directly in the face like it is a war horse with the strength to carry her – and the baggage of the twelve ‘her’s’ before this one – as she charges headfirst into the bloody battle she has fought for millennia against her history, her family name, and the men who love her.

Which actor/actress could you see playing the lead character from your book?

Ren played by Isabel Lucas

Mike played by Henry Cavill

Josh played by Sam Heughan

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
I know how I, myself, feels to love someone, and I know how it makes me feel to be loved in the different ways one can be, but describing how another person feels love? Even on my most emotionally imaginative days, describing what another person’s notion of physical, emotional, and spiritual love is always proves to be the most challenging.

Is there a certain type of scene that's harder for you to write than others?

Honestly, erotically-charged scenes! It's not really the writing of them, it's the editing of them! Some things have to be left to the reader’s imagination, but how much? I always struggle with how much description is, or is not, enough!


What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Read. Read. Read. Write. Write. Write. Then read some more.

Do you have any unique talents or hobbies?

I always win handstand competitions in the pool. I’ve been told that I make a richly-mean spaghetti bolognaise. I paint landscapes - not well - but I love it! I am good with animals - especially fluffy ones – I get cuddles from the apparently shy ones, and I’ve been told that I have a knack of chilling out the uppity ones, but I don’t know how - I’m not exactly the most chilled-out person!

What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?

Giving up smoking. After the countless times I tried, I was dangerously close to giving up on giving up, but after all that practice, I finally got there in the end!

What books have most influenced your life most?

Kathleen McGowan’s, The Expected One, The Book of Love, The Poet Prince. Her books dared me to look deeper, and when I did, all I thought I knew about divinity was blown into smithereens. Thank you, Ms. McGowan!

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Paullina Simmons - namely The Bronze Horseman Trilogy. She wrote a tale set in a tragic, mind baffling, soul wrenching time in Russian and world history, but through all of the death and disaster, and the difficult and overwhelming overtones, simplistic messages of love, hope, honesty, and strength in the face of adversity and injustice rose to the surface and hit me square in the chest.

Are there any books that you ashamed to admit you have read and loved?

The Twilight Saga. I ate them up! 

 

Who is your favorite Villain/Monster in Literature?

Jekyll and Hyde - because apparently humans are capable of being either, but thankfully most of us choose not to be! 

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Embrace what you see as your imperfections because sometimes they can turn out to be the most loveable and unique things about you.

Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?

Florence Nightingale. Not only was she a renowned nurse and matron, she was also a rebellious daughter, a social reformer, and an accomplished writer who lived to the grand old age of ninety. I would love to meet her as an old lady, make her multiple cups of tea, and listen to her stories about all that she has seen, felt, failed at, and succeeded in. She was a trailblazer, a great one, who, in her younger years, broke the mold, and in her adult life, started to break down walls we are still hammering away at today.

Alright readers, that's all I have for you on the topic of The 13th Descent by KY Lehman! What do you think? Sound like the read for you? I know I'm intrigued, and after reading that interview, I think the KY Lehman train is one I need to jump on! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below! Special thanks to the author and the team at XPresso Book Tours for allowing me to participate! Until next time, Happy Reading!

*For the record, I have NO IDEA why this post is set on a white background and I have no clue how to fix it. I apologize to any of you who make be visually offended :)*

-Ethan

Krymzyn by BC Powell Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway!

Hey everyone and welcome to my tour stop on the Blow Tour for Krymzyn by BC Powell! A few months ago you guys stopped by to see the cover reveal and now I am honored to share more about this incredible read! After the cover reveal, I was approached by the author to read and review this novel for release, but before I was able to get my review posted, I was selected as a stop on this awesome tour! You guys are in for a treat because this was one great read! Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the book and our author:

Title: Krymzyn
Author: BC Powell
Genre: New Adult Fantasy, Science-Fiction
Release Date: October 4, 2014

Chase was twelve the first time he arrived in a strange land where dark, ominous clouds never move, ancient trees violently spring to life during Darkness, and people seem to live without emotion. Doctors tell him they’re hallucinations, but he knows his visits are real. She’s there-Sash-and she’s more real than anyone he’s ever known.

His visits stop but, as years pass, the memories haunt Chase. Without warning, the young man suddenly finds himself again in a world called Krymzyn. Arriving during Darkness, he’s rescued from death by the extraordinary, beautiful but terrifying young woman he first met when he was twelve.

When Chase is thrust into the war of balance against vile creatures who threaten all who live there, Sash helps him understand his purpose in Krymzyn. A dark secret from the beginning of time reveals he might be able to stay there forever. To prove he belongs in Krymzyn and be with the only woman he can ever love, Chase will have to risk his own life in the ultimate battle.

Now that you've seen the cover and the synopsis, here's a little bit about out author, BC Powell:

BC Powell

BC Powell is a fantasy author from Los Angeles, CA. His debut science fiction fantasy novel "Krymzyn" will be released October 4, 2014. "The Infinite Expanse", the second book in "The Journals of Krymzyn" series, is scheduled for publication in February, 2015.

Powell has a diverse background, having held several creative positions in the entertainment industry, including executive roles at ABC-TV and Technicolor. In recent years, he's authored several non-fiction works, primarily educational books and training programs for trading the financial markets. He dual majored in journalism and philosophy at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

Writing fiction has been his lifelong passion and goal. “Krymzyn” is his first published novel and represents, in his words, “finally finding the story I want to tell with characters that are able to bring that story to life.” He's an avid reader and lists Ernest Hemingway, Frank L. Herbert, Stephen King, Jane Austen, and Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. as his favorite authors.

Brad, as he prefers to go by in personal communication, lives with his longtime girlfriend, three sons from a previous marriage, and their rescue dog and cat. He enjoys hiking, ocean kayaking, spending time at Southern California beaches, movies, and reading.

Find BC Powell

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook ** Goodreads *

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My Thoughts:

Krymzyn. Just to see it's title says a lot. Unique? Original? Captivating? All of the above? Yes. This is proving to be one of the hardest reviews I have written! I have so much to say, yet so much I CAN'T say! Does that make sense? This book was truly one of a kind! How does one describe this novel without giving away anything?! Come on people, help me here!

Okay the first thing I want to comment on is the setting. I have seen several other reviews for this book touch on this subject, and I definitely feel like I should as well. BC Powell is a debut author. Generally you can tell a debut author when you come across one; they aren't as comfortable in their writing, they are just getting starting in this world, so to speak. When I first picked up Krymzyn, I had absolutely zero idea that BC Powell was a debut author. The way he writes lead me to believe that he was a seasoned professional. Kudos to Powell for that! When it comes to the world creation, Powell did a number on me with Krymzyn! The land itself is written with such description and literary beauty that I was able to merely close my eyes and there I was. Truly a remarkable talent Powell has to give us such a vision of his literary world.

When it comes to the character development, I have much to say! Again, this is hard without giving spoilers, but here I go anyways. Chase was such an interesting character. From beginning to end we see such a change, that he is almost an entirely new person. While in Krymzyn, Chase's physical body undergoes trauma here in our world. It's really interesting to read, but it really gave us some awesome insight to the kind of life Chase was living pre-Krymzyn. His family, friends, etc. Chase was a character with many dimensions that I could really appreciate. Sash, our female MC, really raised the bar. Her relationship with Chase was one of the big drivers for this story. Their interactions were great. Sash really doesn't change as much throughout the course of the novel, but it was okay, because she really was an interesting character!

As per the plot. I am conflicted. At some points I was really wishing the story would move a bit faster, yet at other times I was hoping it didn't end soon! As with any book it had its' great moments and its' "lull" moments, but nothing that took away from my overall experience. What I think I really enjoyed the most was that even though this is intended to be the first book in a series, we still get a complete story. Oftentimes authors lure a reader in and don't actually accomplish anything in their story in an effort to make the reader want more. While I definitely believe Powell makes a great case for the reader to pick up book 2, I think it was great how this story had a complete resolution to it, in a sense. See, here we go with the spoiler alerts again. Of course you would want to continue this series, because you want all your questions answered, right? Right!

Love, sacrifice, and family are among the many themes explored by Powell in this debut novel. While I won't go so far as to say any of there were Earth shattering realizations, they were definitely notions that fit in perfect with this story. Love in particular. Be it Chase's love for life, his family, or his newfound relationship with Sash, love plays a pretty big role in this story. Love and the sacrifices you will make in order to be happy in it!

Like I said in the beginning, it is kind of hard to review this without giving too much away, but I hope I have done this great novel justice! I know that I am really pumped about the sequel and to see what else Powell has in store for Krymzyn! All-in-all, I am granting this unique and unforgettable read a 4-star review! Definitely one I am glad I picked up! Strongly recommended to any mature-YA and up reader who can appreciate a good mysterious fantasy read! You will not be disappointed!

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Our author is giving away one heck of a prize, a $100 Amazon Gift Card! Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter below!

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Alright everyone, that is all I have for you on the topic of Krymzyn by BC Powell. What do you think? Sound like your kind of read? If so, don't miss the buy links above! As a huge fan of NA and fantasy, I was really impressed by this read. Also, it was so refreshing to read a book by a male author. I haven't had the chance to review many of them! Here's to many more awesome reads from BC Powell! Special thanks to the author and the amazing team at Xpresso Book Tours for allowing me to participate! Until next time, Happy Reading!  

-Ethan

Creed by Trisha Leaver & Lindsay Currie Book Blast + Giveaway

Hey everyone! Got an awesome book blast post for you on this Monday morning! This time up? Creed by Lindsay Currie and Trisha Leaver! Here's a bit about the book and the authors before we give some awesome stuff away!


CREED
By: Trisha Leaver & Lindsay Currie
Release date: November 8, 2014 
Publisher: Flux 
Genre: Young Adult psychological horror 
ISBN: 0738740802

Three went in. Three came out. None even a shadow of who they once were.

When their car breaks down, Dee, her boyfriend Luke, and his brother Mike walk through a winter storm to take refuge in a nearby town called Purity Springs. When they arrive, the emergency sirens are blaring and the small farming town seems abandoned. With no other shelter, they spend the night in an empty house.

But they soon discover that not everything in Purity Springs is as it seems. When the town's inhabitants suddenly appear the next morning, Dee, Luke, and Mike find themselves at the mercy of the charismatic leader, Elijah Hawkins, who plans to make Dee his new wife. Elijah's son, Joseph, offers to help them escape . . . but the price of his help may be more than Dee and her friends can bear.

Praise For CREED:

“Debut authors Leaver and Currie make an auspicious foray into YA horror...creating a believably desperate and terrifying situation for their characters, and Dee's history of physical and sexual abuse adds another layer of terror to this suspenseful and sporadically gory thriller.” ~Publishers Weekly

Welcome to a town that makes "Children of the Corn" look like child's play. There's no shortage of scary shenanigans happening in "Creed" ... We'd rather take a year-long gig teaching botany to the "Children of the Corn" than take a gas-and-bathroom break on a sunny day in Purity Springs.  ~Kat Rosenfield author of Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone/ MTV News

"This is: a straight-ahead, cover-your-ears tale of terror that grows more nihilistic and grueling by the page.... Leaver and Currie do the best thing horror authors can do, presenting protagonists who make smart choices, over and over, but to no avail. Now that's scary" ~ Daniel Kraus/ Booklist

About The Authors

Trisha Leaver: Trisha Leaver graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in Social Work. She lives on Cape Cod with her husband, three kids and one rather irreverent black lab. She is a member of the SCBWI, the Horror Writers Association, and the YA Scream Queens

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | WEBSITE

Instagram: @trishaleaver

Lindsay Currie: Lindsay Currie graduated from Knox College in Galesburg, IL with an English Literature degree. She is a member of the SCBWI, the Horror Writers Association and a contributor to the YA Scream Queens. 
TWITTER | WEBSITE| FACEBOOK
Instagram: @lindsayncurrie

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Alright every, what do you think? Creed sound like the read for you? I know it's going on my TBR! I love a good mind-bending read! Let me know what you think in the comments, but don't forget to leave without entering the giveaway above! Special thanks to the authors and the awesome team at Me, My Shelf, and I book tours for allowing me to participate! Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan