Breathless (Heartless #3) by Kelly Martin Blog Tour (Excerpt + Review)

Title: Breathless (Heartless, Book Three)
Author: Kelly Martin
Genre: YA Paranormal
Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR

There's good.

There's evil.

Then there's her.

When Gracen Sullivan stabbed Hart Blackwell, she thought it was over. She thought the world was safe-- safe from her. Stuck in the Abyss, watching as the evil inside her body takes over, she has to find some way to stop it.

Hart Blackwell expected to wake up in Hell. Instead, he woke up in his grave. With the world falling apart, he has to put the bad history with his brother in the past or there will be no future.

Armageddon has been set in motion. Enemies will have to work together or everything will end in fire and brimstone.

The Abomination is here. And she must be stopped no matter the consequences.

Buy Links:
#Free with #KindleUnlimited Heartless (Book One): http://amzn.to/1P8YzVI
Soulless (Book Two): http://amzn.to/1Uu1ijs
Breathless (Book Three): http://amzn.to/1Upr3Rd
Hart (Book Four): http://amzn.to/1V5TRvo

Kelly Martin writes paranormal, contemporary, historical, and YA fiction. She has been married for over ten years and has three rowdy, angelic daughters. When she's not writing, she loves taking picture of abandoned houses, watching horror gamers on YouTube-- even though she's a huge wimp-- and drinking decaf white chocolate mochas. She's a total fangirl, loves the 80s and 90s, and has a sad addiction to paranormal TV shows. {Basically, she likes creepy stuff.} Her favorite characters are the very flawed 'good guys'-- and 'bad guys' who don't know they are evil. She loves giving her readers books with unexpected twists and turns, but (here's a hint) most of her books have the ending spelled out in the first chapter. See if you can figure it out. If you ever have a question or comment, feel free to email her at kellymartin215 @ yahoo . com ♥ You can follow her writing adventure at www.kellymartinbooks.com.

Author Links: 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/kellymartin215/
My "nerd" group on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1451773008377850/
Kelly's Heartbreakers (my official street team): https://www.facebook.com/groups/922087044551273/
Newsletter: http://kellymartinbooks.blogspot.com/p/subscribe-to- our-newsletter.html
Blog: www.kellymartinbooks.blogspot.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSQGJ5gViQ- 0ajHRvWUqaA
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1RiFqC4
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KellyMartinAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/martieKay
tumblr: martiekay.tumblr.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/KMBooks

Hart:

"Lucien! Slow down! Wait for me!" The sounds all around us drown out my words. I can barely hear them, and I'm right there with me. I'm sure Lucien doesn't hear. I can't even see him anymore.

What I do see, through the wind whipping my hair in my eyes and squinting through the rain, is a dim light in the distance. I don't know if it’s a house or a barn or a serial killer's cabin. I don't know. I don't care. All I know is that I see it, and I want to be there. It has to be warmer and drier than out here in the middle of the woods.
Out here where any bear or wolf or fox could pounce on us and rip us to shreds.
Though I haven't heard any animal since we started into the woods.
I'm sure that's totally a great sign.

Could this get any worse?

A hand grasps my shoulder and pulls me back.

I’m pinned down on the ground before I can fully comprehend what’s going on. I can’t see what’s holding me down, but I know it can’t be my brother. I claw at its face to try to get up, but my hands are pinned down over my head, and I can’t make my legs move.
I’m trapped.

The lightning fills the sky.
For a split second, I can see.
For a split second, I wish I couldn’t.

*****

My Thoughts:

"Hope is a dangerous thing. The most dangerous thing on the planet. Hope kills more dreams than anything. Hope, if we aren't very careful, will kill the world." 

As I type this review, I just set my Nook down after finishing Breathless. My thoughts are wow. A lot to handle right now. I've caught all the feels. All. The. Feels. As you guys will well-remember, I just recently discovered Kelly Martin with this series earlier this year and it absolutely blew my mind. This series and I found one another at the perfect time in my life and for that I have been extremely grateful. For three full novels now, I have had my bookish world turned upside down. I can;t even begin to describe the emotional journey this series has led me on. After so many incredible novels, could Breathless live up to its' predecessors?

Yes. Oh hell yes. 

Readers of Heartless and Soulless will be extremely happy to know that Breathless is very much in the same vein. In fact, all of these stories could just be called episodes to one huge story as they are all very much dependent upon one another. Picking up shortly after Soulless left off, Breathless may be Martin's most spellbinding adventure to date!

When it comes to the plot of Breathless, be ready for an adventure. Literally. Through time and realms, Gracen is on a mission to stop the Abomination and save the world from its' bitter end. With the pieces of the machine already in motion, it's going to take the combined efforts of human, angel, and demon to save the world, but even that may not be enough.

This is a relatively short read so I really have to be careful of what I say to avoid any plot spoilers, but I can definitely tell you without hesitation that if you were a fan of books one and two, you will love book three. It's incredible to say the least. I will warn you though, it ends on Martin's most emotional cliffhanger yet. Bring the tissues folks. You've been warned.

Thankfully, Martin has already established all the groundwork in this world so there were no new characters to meet in Breathless. As a result, we really get some incredible insight to our existing characters and their stories. The character building was absolutely incredible and one of the most unique I have seen. Breathless is told from FOUR different character's POV. Yes, four. Don't worry, each narrative is necessary and doesn't repeat from the plot at all. In fact, I could have used a fifth at times!

One thing I really didn't expect out of this novel was the deep religious roots it shared at times. I've read several novels as of late with religious undertones, but this one is probably the one who has done it the best. Martin has delivered an incredible tale full of spirit without drowning her readers in scripture or history. She took her own unique twist on the scriptural tale and crafted a story that readers of all faiths and walks of life can enjoy.

Martin really hits home with some incredibly hard hitting themes in Brethless.  It's an extremely deep read that really resonated with me for many reasons. If you can read this series without catching all the feels, you've done something wrong. With reflections on topics such as: faith, family, love, forgiveness, acceptance, fate, destiny, and so many more, Martin opened the floodgates of emotion and really let them roar. It was a beautiful adventure in reading. 

As you guys can clearly see, I was a huge fan of Breathless. As far as the series goes, I'm going to be keeping a very close eye on Martin in the future and cannot wait until Reckless (book four) is released this fall. In the meantime, Martin has already released Hart, a novella chronicling the human life of Jessup Hart Blackwell, the male MC in the series. I'll be devouring it soon!

All-in-all, it should come as absolutely no surprise that I am granting Breathess by Kelly Martin a near-perfect 5-star review. I seriously couldn't rave any more if I tried. I can absolutely tell you that I'll be closely following this series until the very end.  A truly unique read, Martin ignites a flame with her elegant words, captivating settings, and enough psychological insight to keep even the most hesitant of readers satisfied. Don't miss your chance to add this one to your TBR today.

*****

There you have it, my stop on the blog tour for Breathless by the incredible Kelly Martin! You guys know how much I love this series so I can't tell you to go one-click fast enough! Go, go now! Thanks so much for stopping by and a huge thanks to the author and Lady Amber's PR for allowing me to participate. Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

Frequency (Book Three: The Frantic Series) by Casey L. Bond Blog Tour (Video Guest Post + Review + Giveaway)

Hey readers! Happy Monday! I'm so excited to be sharing this blog tour stop with all of you today. Anyone who's been following the blog here in 2016 has seen me absolutely rave about every word of this incredible series by the amazing Casey L. Bond. Vampires and Zombies, a gripping tale of suspense and a mysterious romance that will leave you begging for each passing installment? On the chopping block today? Frequency by Casey L. Bond. I've got all kinds of awesome here for you including my first EVER video Guest Post and review. Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the novel and our author:

When the Infected attacked, something horrific happened to Porschia Grant. Porschia in Frenzy was scary; Porschia with hallucinations is terrifying. There has to be a reason, and there must be a cure for the episodes refusing to release her from their tentacles of insanity. 

Saul is in the center of the city surrounded by secrets–some are damning, some are eye opening—others might just offer hope and be worth fighting for. How can a person justify the possibility of infecting another human being? What might the humans and night-walkers lose if he doesn’t take the chance?

The decisions made, and the lies uncovered, will shock everyone in and around Blackwater, and they just might spark a revolution.

Everything emits a sound… and hunger is deafening… horrible.

     

Casey L. Bond

Casey L. Bond resides in Milton, West Virginia with her husband and their two beautiful daughters.
When she’s not busy being a domestic goddess and chasing her baby girls, she loves to write young adult and new adult fiction.

In 2003, Bond graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marshall University in the field of Criminal Justice. 

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Website

Special Video Guest Post from Author Casey L. Bond

'On the Topic of Combining the Vampire/Zombie Tropes'

*****

My Thoughts:

As anyone who follows this blog will well know, I am a huge Casey L. Bond fan. Admittedly, I haven't read her entire backlog and just recently jumped on board the Bond Bandwagon, but even based on the few works I have devoured, I can say with confidence that she's one of the most talented writers I've worked with as of late. Her stories are full of gripping emotion and such vivid plots and settings that really leave a lasting impression on the mind of her readers. 

I have to say, of all the reviews I have written for Casey's books, this one here has proven to be the most difficult. How do you adequately interpret all these feels without spoiling the novel for new readers? Well, I'm honestly not sure I can, but doggone it, I'm going to try.

Frequency was everything I wanted from the third installment in this incredible series, but the funny thing is that I didn't realize it until after I read it. It's near-perfect. Continuing the gripping plotline she crafted in books one and two, the stakes are higher than ever now that Portia is fresh out of Frenzy and attempting to setting into a life as the one thing she's feared her entire life long. The nightwalkers have claimed Portia as their own after her own community abandoned her without a second glance. But with some digging and some hard-hitting questions, Portia learns the hard way that there's much more to the story than what the Elders of Blackwater let on. Can Portia uncover the secrets in time to save those she loves?

I can't say much more because OH BOY huge spoilers, but let's just say that Casey blew the doors on the genre fresh off their hinges. You will not see this plot twist coming from a mile away. Think you know Blackwater? Think again. But vamps aren't the only paranormal in town, what of Mercedes and the Infected, long-feared? Is there redemption for the Infected? Will there be hope for Saul, Portia's once love?

Readers everywhere are going to want to grab the tissues for this one, because the feels are real. Casey holds nothing back and delivers several emotional blows that really help to ground this story into a reality that's terrifying, but relatable, on multiple levels.

Much like the previous novels, each chapter is told from an alternative POV, but this time definitely holds some twists as well. With new characters' insight to the madness, Bond is able to further envelope us into the world she has so delicately crafted. Bond's writing transcends the boundaries of paranormal literally, leaving readers with minds blown and hearts full.

As I mentioned in my reviews for both books one and two, Bond really challenges the conventions of the genre with each installment. It's so much more than what you see on the surface and that in itself will leave you with so many questions at the end of the novel. Questions that will leave you pondering everything you thought you knew about the genre and leave you begging for more!

I have to say that the ending to Frequency was probably one of my favorite scenes that Bond has written to-date. After so much heart stopping action and emotion, Bond leaves you hanging on to each and every word, anxiously awaiting the finale. I was definitely not disappointed. Bond left the door wide open for the world that she has created and I know she will continue to shatter our realities with each passing installment. 

I know I've left a lot of vagueness in this review, with good reason. Any fan of Bond or the paranormal genre is definitely going to need to grab a copy of Frequency themselves to see what becomes of the Grant family, Blackwater, and the creatures that lurk in the surrounding forest. It's not to be missed! 

All of this being said, it should come as absolutely no surprise that I am granting Frequency by Casey L. Bond a near-perfect 5-star review. I'd have to say that this has been my favorite series of 2016 thus far and I can't speak highly enough of it. A perfect read for fans of New Adult, Paranormal, or anyone looking to shake up their TBR with something a little different. Add this incredible series to your TBR today!

*****

GIVEAWAY

You read it right! I'm giving away an entire Frantic trilogy set to one lucky reader. Comment below with YOUR favorite vampire/zombie tale to enter. That's it! Likes/follows/shares are greatly appreciated but not required for entry.

*****

Alright readers, that's all I have for you on the topic of Frequency by Casey L. Bond. It was a fun, fast-paced read that I couldn't put down. I have yet to read something from Bond that I didn't love from the very first sentence. I know this guy will be anxiously awaiting the release of Bond's next great novel. Don't forget to comment below for your chance to win an ecopy of THE ENTIRE Frantic trilogy! Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

Frequency (Frantic #3) by Casey L. Bond Release Day Blitz

Title: Frequency

Author: Casey L Bond

Genre: YA Paranormal

Cover Designer: Cover Me Darling

Model: Nathan Weller

Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR

When the Infected attacked, something horrific happened to Porschia Grant. Porschia in Frenzy was scary; Porschia with hallucinations is terrifying. There has to be a reason, and there must be a cure for the episodes refusing to release her from their tentacles of insanity. 

Saul is in the center of the city surrounded by secrets–some are damning, some are eye opening—others might just offer hope and be worth fighting for. How can a person justify the possibility of infecting another human being? What might the humans and night-walkers lose if he doesn’t take the chance?

The decisions made, and the lies uncovered, will shock everyone in and around Blackwater, and they just might spark a revolution.

Everything emits a sound… and hunger is deafening… horrible.

Award-winning author Casey L. Bond resides in Milton, West Virginia with her husband and their two beautiful daughters. When she’s not busy being a domestic goddess and chasing her baby girls, she loves to write young adult and new adult fiction. You can find more information about Bond’s books via the following links: 

Website: www.authorcaseybond.com 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorcaseybond 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorcaseybond Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7212486.Casey_L_Bond Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/caseyb007 
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1PmE0pg

Hosted by:

Personal Apocalypse (The Hopeless World Book 1) by Nazarea Andrews Blog Tour (Review)

Hey readers! Ethan here with quite possibly one of my most exciting reviews of 2015! I always love when I devour an extremely anticipated novel and it turns out to be everything I was anticipating and more. This time I'm reviewing the first novel in the spin-off series to another of my all-time favorite series. On the chopping block this time? Personal Apocalypse by Nazarea Andrews. Today's stop on the blog tour will feature my thoughts on the novel as well as some awesome promo. Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the novel and our author:

Josiah grew up in a dying world. The Holdout survived, but when you are the son of Sylvia Cragen, you give up delusions early. He knew that they would die bloody--it wasn't a matter of if. Only when.

Parker shouldn't be alive. He should have died long before scouts from the Last Holdout rescued him. And he knows better than to believe that sailing away from the safety of the Holdout is a good idea.

Now, without the Holdout to protect them, all of his nightmares are coming true. Josiah is just crazy enough to believe that a fresh start is a good thing. But Parker has lived as prey, hunted by zombies and survivors before--and he knows that no one really survives. In the wild, zombie claimed world outside the walls of safety, there is only the dead walking.

          

Nazarea Andrews

Nazarea Andrews is an avid reader and tends to write the stories she wants to read. She loves chocolate and coffee almost as much as she loves books, but not quite as much as she loves her kids. She lives in south Georgia with her husband, daughters, and overgrown dog. She is the author of Girl Lost, Edge of the Falls, and The University of Branton Series. 

Find Nazarea Andrews

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook ** Goodreads *

*****

My Thoughts:

As any of my regular readers will well know, Ethan here is not a huge fan of the zombie paranormal-sub genre. Well, I wasn't. Not until Nazarea Andrews. It's been a couple of years now since I was first introduced to Andrews and her incredible World Without End series, but I still cannot get over how incredible it was. When the series ended last summer, I was devastated to see a favorite of mine was finished. Imagine my shock and surprise when I discovered Andrews had an ace up her sleeve: a spin-off series!

Picking up right where the World Without End series finished, this new series, beginning with Personal Apocalypse continues to follow the story of life after Eli-Milan has decimated the planet, but with two new starring characters: Josiah and Parker. Anyone who finished the previous series will remember Finn (our former male-MC's) discovery of a brother and their interesting relationship. This first novel explores that relationship and really gives us an insight to the family dynamic we were really excited to discover in the previous series finale. While this is an entirely new series, we still have huge flashbacks from WWE. Nurrin and Finn are still major characters in Personal Apocalypse, but to avoid spoilers I won't mention too much there.

Now, this all being said, PA is an entirely new series. While a spin-off, it isn't necessarily imperative that you have read the previous series to understand what is happening. Andrews does an absolutely incredible job introducing her world to readers in a way that both series vets and new readers will be immersed into the world without being lost. It's an incredible novel to introduce you to this literary universe that Andrews has crafted.

One of my favorite parts about PA is that while it absolutely is full of the horror you would expect from a novel of this genre, you definitely don't have the gore and violence we've seen from her in the past. Why? Personal Apocalypse is just that. Personal. It's an extremely psychological read. Way more personal than I was expecting from Andrews and this new series. It's an emotionally gripping tale that will leave you hooked until the very last page.

I have to say that as much as I loved WWE, this new series is seriously a hard-hitter. Andrews has evolved so much as an author in the past few years that it is absolutely astounding to see the two compared. The characters in this series are definitely set to give Ren and Finn a run for their money as well. I can't say enough how absolutely blown away I was by Personal Apocalypse. It's truly a testament to the writing style of Andrews to be able to capture readers for so long and across series as she has.

Through emotional twists, horrific new terrain, and writing the history of a world we only thought we knew, Andrews blows the doors wide open with Personal Apocalypse. I know don't know about anyone else, but I know this reader was thoroughly impressed. It should come as no surprise that I am granting Personal Apocalypse a near-perfect 5-star review. Do not miss this opportunity to check out this read, add it to your TBR today! 

*****

Alright readers, that's all I have for you on the topic of Personal Apocalypse by the incredible Nazarea Andrews. As you guys can clearly see, I absolutely loved every page of this incredible novel and I absolutely cannot wait to see what Andrews does next with this series. This world she has built is one of my favorite literary realms and I know each installment is going to be better than the last! Huge thanks to InkSlinger PR for allowing me to be a part of the tour and supplying me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

I, Zombie by Jo Michaels Review

Hey readers, Ethan here with a special review for you guys today. I had the great pleasure of devouring this read from one of the radical authors I know a few weeks ago and I'm so excited to share my thoughts. So is the author! In fact, so excited that she's hosting a $0.99 sale to celebrate! What are we raving about today? I, Zombie by Jo Michaels. Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the novel and our author:

It's the end of the world as we know it.

Trixie Collins is a normal teen making her way through high school. One night at a party, a boy comes on to her and won't take no for an answer. As she jerks her arm away, his fingernails cut into her skin.

When she finds her dog's mutilated body and realizes she's to blame, she starts to think maybe the zombie apocalypse they've been screaming about on the news isn't a hoax after all. Worse, she begins to think maybe she's one of the infected.

Now it's a fight for life as she joins together with her brethren to stop the humans intent on destroying them. Are zombies all bad, or is it just a huge misunderstanding?

          

Jo Michaels

Jo Michaels is...

Hi, I'm Jo. Let's forget all the "Jo Michaels is blah, blah, blah" stuff and just go with it. I'm a voracious reader (often reading more than one book at a time), a writer, a book reviewer, a mom, a wife, and one of the EICs at INDIE Books Gone Wild. I have an almost photographic memory and tend to make people cringe at the number of details I can recall about them and/or their book(s). My imagination follows me around like a conjoined twin and causes me to space out pretty often or laugh out loud randomly in completely inappropriate situations.

I have a degree in graphic design, and my journey to the end was one few students who begin that program ever complete. However, this was one case where my memory and OCD tendencies helped me. Graduation was one of the most amazing days of my life. But, my most amazing day was when my now husband proposed. Every little girl dreams of being Cinderella someday, and he pulled off the proposal of fantasies.

At the risk of sounding cliche, I'm going to let it out there and say how much I absolutely adore the man I'm married to. Along with my children, he's my whole world.

I've lived in Louisiana, Tennessee, and Georgia, but I've had my feet in almost every state. Traveling is something I adore, and have plans to someday see the Mongolia I've written about in Yassa.

One of my favorite things is hearing from fans! You can find me on social media most any day of the week. Connect! I'd love to hear from you.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

*****

My Thoughts:

While I have read collaborative works from Michaels in the past, I, Zombie marks my first full-length read from her. I've heard incredible words of praise from her fans, so I was more than pumped to check out this read from Jo. As many of my readers will well-remember, zombies are one of my least favorite genres. I've read two series that to this day remain two of my all-time favorites (Nazarea Andrews' The World Without End and Rachel Aukes Deadland Saga), but I have been hard pressed to find any other novels in this specific genre that have held my attention as they have.

I am proud to say that through a truly original and unique plot and an elegant writing style that left me hanging onto every word, Jo Michaels has definitely earned her spot on my list of favorites in the zombie genre.

I, Zombie was everything I wanted, and more!

I'm not going to lie to you guys, this was a super quick read for me and I can't say too terribly much about the plot without giving away massive spoilers. Like other zombie-poc novels, this one follows the story of the supposed end of days, but this time, with a twist. It's told from the point of view of the infected through their decline and fight with the virus that cripples their lives and civilization. Truly imaginative storytelling on Michaels part. It's a fast-paced tale that I devoured in just a couple of sittings. Michaels formatting on this one really was reflective of the plot. Each of the novels 26 chapters are appropriately titled with a letter of the alphabet corresponding to the appropriate theme, tone, or feelings expressed in that chapter. It was so exciting to see that literary device utilized to such perfection. The plot is full of twists and turns and features an ending that will leave you begging for more. You won't see this one coming, promise!

One of the more interesting aspects of this novel were the characters Michaels crafted. While the story has a relatively large cast Michaels was able to fully evolve each character and provide full story arcs for each member of her cast while still fitting the story into a shorter format. There was no need for excessive character description or subplots, as all characters involved were working towards a similar goal: survival. I'll touch on this more later, but this was definitely one read that left my mind reeling, long after finishing the final chapter. Of all the characters I really only want to touch on our main heroine, Trixie. Trixie grew on me massively over the course of the novel. Admittedly, I couldn't really relate to her for the longest time and at first she kind of got on my nerves ever so slightly. By the end of the novel I really saw Michaels make huge strides with Trixie's character and I was thoroughly impressed with the level of development we saw and the maturity her character gained. One extremely heart-wrenching moment truly captured Trixie's transition from girl to woman and it was one of the most powerful passages I've read in some time. Definitely an incredible twist on the 'coming-of-age' portion of the story.

A Southern girl herself, Michaels crafted the setting to I, Zombie to perfection. The feel of the bayou, the sounds of the wildlife, the thick humid air: Michaels nailed it with this one. I have never read a novel such as this one set in the Louisiana bayou. Over the years and many other novels, this has proven to be one of my favorite settings for novels, but few have conquered the tone the way Michaels has in this novel. It's beyond fitting to the story line and really pushes the plot further in many occasions.

I have to say I was more than a little overtaken with emotions at times during my reading of I, Zombie. I was forewarned that tissues may be needed, but I truly didn't expect hardcore emotion in a novel about zombies. In my experience reading zombie novels (admittedly I've read fewer than I can count on both hands), strong emotion is one of the last things I feel. Often gritty tales of survival, Michaels turns the genre on its' head with I, Zombie. Reading the transition from human to 'zombie' through the eyes of our protagonist Trixie made for an extremely touching tale that lead to many important themes being tackled along the way. Family, love, forgiveness, strength, mortality, and the declination of society are all themes that Michaels really hits home with in the pages of this novel. I don't expect there will be many dry eyes after devouring this read. It is definite a novel giving cause for reflection.

Truly one of the most unique reads I have read in this genre, Jo Michaels blew me away with I, Zombie. Never would I have imagined I would have felt the emotional pull of my heartstrings like Michaels achieved with this incredible novel. It was truly a pleasure to devour and will forever hold a special place on my shelf of unique reads. It should come as no surprise that I am granting I, Zombie a near-perfect 5-star review. I couldn't get enough of this story and I know I'll come back to this one again and again! A perfect read for all fans of horror or paranormal novels as well as anyone looking to add a new twist on an old favorite to their TBRs! This read is not to be missed! 

*****

Alright folks, that's all I have for you on the topic of I, Zombie by the incredible Jo Michaels. As you can clearly see, I loved nearly everything about this novel. I couldn't get enough. Be sure to add it to your TBR today! And don't forget to take advantage of the $0.99 sale 48 HOURS (3/30-3/31/16) ONLY! Special thanks to Jo for supplying me with a copy in exchange for my honest review. Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

Frantic (Book Two: The Frenzy Series) by Casey L. Bond Review

Hey Readers! Ethan here with another awesome review for you guys! I'm going a bit out of order to give you guys this review ASAP since it just released this past Friday. I absolutely devoured this read in one sitting and I cannot wait to share my thoughts on this one. Up on the chopping block? Frantic, book two in the Frenzy series by the incredible Casey L. Bond! Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the novel and our author:

Porschia Grant is in Frenzy. The hunger is constant. It’s all-consuming, as is the pain and sickness. Something went wrong when she turned. Perhaps it was the fact that an infected bit her moments before, or maybe it’s something else entirely.

One thing is certain, if Porschia can’t learn to feed, she will die. If she can’t learn to control her extreme emotional swings, she will kill someone. And that would destroy her.

How long can the night-walkers keep her turning a secret from the Colony? Will Saul stand beside her now that she’s changed? And what will happen when she re-enters the forest?

     

Casey L. Bond

Casey L. Bond resides in Milton, West Virginia with her husband and their two beautiful daughters.
When she’s not busy being a domestic goddess and chasing her baby girls, she loves to write young adult and new adult fiction.

In 2003, Bond graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marshall University in the field of Criminal Justice. 

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Website

*****

My Thoughts:

"There would always be reminders of my former life, like wounds that were torn open again and again. They would never heal, but I had eternity to bleed."

As anyone who follows this blog will well know, I am a huge Casey L. Bond fan. Admittedly, I haven't read her entire backlog and just recently jumped on board the Bond Bandwagon, but even based on the few works I have devoured, I can say with confidence that she's one of the most talented writers I've worked with as of late. Her stories are full of gripping emotion and such vivid plots and settings that really leave a lasting impression on the mind of her readers. 

Anyone who knows me also knows that I am absolutely obsessed with anything paranormal. And vampires? My favorite. Bring it on. But what happens when you miss the living dead with the undead? Can a novel with both vampires and zombies work in a post-apocalyptic setting? Hell yes. And so much more. 

Anyone who read my recent review of book one in this series, Frenzy, will well-remember that I absolutely adored each and every word. I absolutely fell in love with Bond's ability to craft a story beyond convention that didn't stick between the lines of what one would expect from a traditional novel of this genre. That's one of my favorite characteristics I look for in an author: pushing the limits, and does Bond ever! 

Frantic picks up right as we left our characters in Frenzy: confused, scared, and in one heck of a mess. With Portia's life on the line, she makes the only decision she has: drink from the blood of her poisoned ring and become the creature she's been raised to hate. A Nightcrawler. A Vampire. Being newly turned can only mean one thing: a new fledgling is in Frenzy. Can Blackwater handle the effects of another newly turned? 

Bond really ups the ante with Frantic. With the same high-octane thrills and crippling feels as we saw in book one, Bond builds upon those emotions to craft an incredible sophomore outing in the series. I have to say there were several plot twists that I absolutely did not see coming and more than a few moments that left my heart heavy with emotions. This groundbreaking series is not to be missed. With a plot so fast paced, it was no surprise to me that I absolutely devoured this one. 

Retaining the same post-apocalyptic setting as book one, Bond delves more into the tone and psyche of the setting in book two. It's not so much about where you are, it's about what you make of it. Human? Infected? Vampire? Each setting means a different outcome for each race. Can three races with absolute different motives co-exist? Or are their motives really all that different?

As I mentioned before, Bond really challenges the conventions of the genre with this installment. It's so much more than what you see on the surface and that in itself will leave you with so many questions at the end of the novel. Questions that will leave you pondering everything you thought you knew about the genre and leave you begging for more!

As you can clearly see, book two spoke to me just as clearly as its' predecessor. It's full of emotion, grit, and appeal that only an author as talented as Casey L. Bond can delivery. A true nail biter from page one, Frantic is everything I needed in a sequel and more! It should come as absolutely no surprise that I am granting this second installment to The Frenzy Series a well-earned 5-star review. Take note book world, we've got a new rising series on our hands. It's to die for. Don't let this one slip away, add it to your TBR today! 

*****

Alright readers, that's all I have for you on the topic of Frantic by Casey L. Bond. It was a fun, fast-paced read that I couldn't put down. I have yet to read something from Bond that I didn't love from the very first sentence. I know this guy will be anxiously awaiting the release of Frequency next month. Be on the look out for my thoughts on it soon! Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

Soulless (Heartless #2) by Kelly Martin Review

Hey readers! Late Night-Ethan here again with another awesome book review for you folks. Back in January, I had the great honor of reviewing book one in this incredible series. It touched me in ways I hadn't been touched in a long time. It really changed my outlook on life and was a genuine pleasure to read. Could book two live up to those huge expectations? This time on the chopping block? Soulless by Kelly Martin. Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the novel and our author:

Sometimes all the wishing in the world doesn't change the fact that in order to save everyone, you have to destroy yourself.
Sometimes good doesn't always win.
Sometimes choices suck.
Sometimes people don't break their promises
Sometimes the thing we hate the most is the one thing that can save us.
Sometimes...
Sometimes love ruins everything.

     

Kelly Martin

Kelly Martin is the bestselling author of contemporary, historical, and YA romance. She has been married for over ten years and has three rowdy, angelic daughters. When Kelly isn't writing, she loves watching horror gamers on YouTube, even though she is a huge wimp, and drinking white chocolate mochas.

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*****

My Thoughts:

"I sound tired. I am tired. It's like I want it to be over, but I know it won't be. My life, as I knew it before, is gone. I thought I has it bad then? I had no idea. If I could go back, even to last week, I'd be happy. I'm not sure how to even go on from here..."

As I mentioned in my feels-filled review for Heartless, it isn't often that I read a novel that completely changes the way I view the industry. A novel the that fills my being and takes over in a way that I become so immersed into the story that I truly leave reality behind in the midst of its' pages. Kelly Martin absolutely astounded me. I had no idea if she could bring me back into the full swing of emotion again. I should've known better.

Soulless is a literary gem. Never before has a sequel caught my attention in such a way as this one. It's almost as though there are no breaks within the story and rather than a new installment, we're merely receiving a continuation of the first novel. That being said, I'm absolutely going to have to say that this novel is a NO READ unless you read book one. I don't usually say that, but I am beyond passionate that no reader will understand the depth of this series without following Gracen's trials from the beginning.

Let's get started.

Soulless picks up near immediately after the closing of Heartless. For obvious reasons, I can't elaborate too much on the plot of this one, but I can tell you that Martin shines. It takes an author of true talent to continue such a heartwrenching stories with such grace and ferocity as Martin did with Soulless. The plot is fast-paced which makes for a quick read. Much like Heartless, this series is about so much more than what we read on the surface. It's not a flashy, action-filled series, but one that will take you on a psychological road trip from which you won't return the same person as when you started. Much like it's predecessor, there are moment of absolute horror in Soulless so again this one is not recommended for the faint of heart.

There were so many moments when reading Soulless that I had to take a moment to compose myself and my thoughts, It's an extremely hard-hitting novel for so many reasons, but such a worthwhile literary adventure. I have highlighted over twenty extremely hard-hitting passages from this read that have hit me in the feels on so many occasions.

Soulless did an incredible job in continuing with Martin's character development and arcs. As the second novel in the trilogy, she didn't have to introduce many new characters which really gave her time to focus on our main duo or Gracen and Hart. I have to say I've never quite seen character development in such as way as I've seen in this series. Redemption is a huge theme in this series and Martin writes it with an elegance we don't see often enough in contemporary literature. Again, for reasons of spoilers I cannot elaborate too much, but I can assure you that I was not disappointed in any capacity.

In terms of setting, Martin again, hit the nail right on the head. In true New Adult fashion, we're situated at college, complete with the allure, excitement, stress, and ambiance of campus life and living. The first apartment, the libraries, Martin really did an incredible job with keeping her story tied to the new adult setting that one comes to look for in a novel of this genre. 

I'd like to recycle these thoughts from my review of Heartless as they absolutely pertain to my thoughts on the second installment as well:

I'm going to make this a little personal for a moment. I often try to detach myself from the emotions of a novel. Only because I feel that if you relate too closely with the source material when reviewing, it's tends to cause some bias results. I'll be honest, I couldn't help but relate with everything Martin wrote in this incredible story. It's dark, far darker than I ever anticipated from an author with such a bubbly-upbeat personality. It's reflective on so many aspects of my life and I loved every second. It was such a cathartic read for me that I desperately needed. Words are so useful in dispelling the darkness and Martin and this series do an incredible job. I can't say many stories have touched me the way [Soulless] has.
As a member of this book community, I read a whole lot. It's not often I come across a series as special and with as much potential as I have found in Martin's Heartless series. I cannot sing its' praises higher if I tried. It's such a testament to the talent and writing style of Martin to have crafted a such a beautiful work of literary art. I have nothing but praise for Soulless and absolutely cannot imagine what I will discover when the final novel of the series is released this fall.

It should come as absolutely no surprise to anyone that I am granting Soulless by Kelly Martin a near-perfect 5-star review. As I said with Heartless, Soulless is "a truly unique read, Martin ignites a flame with her elegant words, captivating settings, and enough psychological insight to keep even the most hesitant of readers satisfied." Don't miss your chance to add this one to your TBR today. You absolutely will not regret this addition to your shelves!

*****

Check out my 5-star review of book one in the series, Heartless, by clicking the cover below.

Alright readers, that's all I have for you on the topic of Soulless by Kelly Martin. As you guys can clearly see, this book spoke to me in ways I haven't been spoken to in a very long time. I couldn't recommend this series any more highly if I tried. Do yourself a huge favor and grab your copy today! Huge shout out to Kelly for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review. Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

Frenzy (Book One: The Frenzy Series) by Casey L. Bond Review

Hello readers! I am back from yet another long break (which I'll address in a later post) with my first of several reviews from my February reads. February was a really rough month for me so I only got a a handful of reads in. Thankfully they were all amazing and I'm so pumped to share my thoughts. Kicking off this review spree? Frantic, the latest thrilling release from the amazing Casey L. Bond! Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the novel and our author:

After the world was ravaged by a viral apocalypse, Blackwater is one of the only colonies that remains. The survivors came together to create this safe haven. Nestled between a fierce river and a city’s flood wall, the well-being of its residents hangs on a long-established treaty with the night-walkers. Sounds simple enough, but lately, the people of Blackwater have been dying, and the humans believe the night-walkers are to blame.

Porschia Grant starves for more than her parents’ affection. Forced to enter the rotation, she will be given extra food rations in exchange for becoming a vampire’s breakfast and dinner for a week. The rotation has an extra responsibility as well: leave the colony and enter the dangerous forest to hunt for food. A night-walker will protect the hunters from the infected that roam the woods. But with the treaty hanging in the balance and tension between the humans and vampires rising, anything could happen in the darkness.

What would you do if your only chance at survival might kill you?

     

Casey L. Bond

Casey L. Bond resides in Milton, West Virginia with her husband and their two beautiful daughters.
When she’s not busy being a domestic goddess and chasing her baby girls, she loves to write young adult and new adult fiction.

In 2003, Bond graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marshall University in the field of Criminal Justice. 

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*****

My Thoughts:

As anyone who follows this blog will well know, I am a huge Casey L. Bond fan. Admittedly, I haven't read her entire backlog and just recently jumped on board the Bond Bandwagon, but even based on the few works I have devoured, I can say with confidence that she's one of the most talented writers I've worked with as of late. Her stories are full of gripping emotion and such vivid plots and settings that really leave a lasting impression on the mind of her readers. 

Anyone who knows me also knows that I am absolutely obsessed with anything paranormal. And vampires? My favorite. Bring it on. But what happens when you miss the living dead with the undead? Can a novel with both vampires and zombies work in a post-apocalyptic setting? Hell yes. And so much more. 

When it came to the plot of Frenzy, Bond really knocked it out of the park. It's extremely fast-paced and reads much like her previous Harvest Saga. A crippling dystopian future full of family struggles and more emotions than you can imagine, Bond crafted one of the most unique and original plots I have seen in quite some time. It was such an interesting twist on vampire lore that I couldn't devour it fast enough. Truly a testament to the power of Bond's writing talents. 

The characters in Frenzy were more than intriguing. They are all well rounded and left me feeling whole and more than satisfied with their character arcs and development. Filled with plenty of unexpected moments, Bond was able to really dig deep into the psyche of her character, both mortal and paranormal, to provide her readers with exemplary examples of how the genre should be tackled. 

The setting for Frenzy was probably my favorite aspect of the story. Maybe setting is the wrong word. Let's say tone. The story has this entire 'black and white' feel to it. It played out like a dark, Frank Miller-esque tone and setting that I could not get enough of. I had chills and could feel the tension in each scene Bond crafted. Truly a landmark in its' genre, Frenzy is a powerful beginning to a groundbreaking series. 

Speaking of series? Let's talk about the potential of this one. Bond end the first novel with quite the bang. One I can honestly say I didn't see coming. I am so anxious to see where Bond takes this story and to see if she can continue to build the momentum as she has in Frenzy.

Look out Anne Rice and Stephenie Meyer, you've got competition in a big way!

It should come as no surprise that I am granting this spellbinding read from Casey L. Bond a near-perfect 5-star review. It was everything I didn't even know I wanted, and then some! Don't miss your chance to pick up this read today. It's free for KU subscribers, what are you waiting for?! I know this guy cannot wait for more from Bond and this series!

*****

Alright readers, that's all I have for you on the topic of Frenzy by Casey L. Bond. It was a fun, fast-paced read that I couldn't put down. I have yet to read something from Bond that I didn't love from the very first sentence. I know this guy will be anxiously awaiting the release of Frantic later this week. Be on the look out for my thoughts on it soon! Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan