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

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. 

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Website

*****

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

Zombie Crawl 2 - Blog Party: Confessions of a Recent Convert (Post + Giveaway)

Zombie Crawl 2 - Blog Party

October 22 - 31, 2015

by Band of Dystopian Authors & Fans

How it works: Each day, the scheduled authors and bloggers will post awesome zombie-tastic content for your enjoyment along with a giveaway on their site/blog/page. You can hop around to all of the participating sites and enter as many giveaways as you like! If you would like to be emailed links to the new posts each day, join this Zombie Crawl Daily Digest list which will ensure you don't miss a post (or join the party on Facebook to get notifications). Make sure to leave comments and interact with the participating sites. Thanks for joining the party!

*****

Confessions of a Recent Convert

Hey there blog hoppers. Welcome to my stop on the Zombie Crawl Blog Party! Today I'm going to be sharing my brief story as a recent convert to the zombie trope. Hope you enjoy!

I'll be honest with you readers, Ethan here is not really a zombie fan. *gasp* I know, I know. Hard to believe. I've never seen an episode of The Walking Dead, most horror movies bore me to tears, and until about a two years ago, I'd never so much as touched a zombie novel. So what am I doing here? Well, it just so happens that the works of a few pretty awesome people have converted me over full fledged to where I maybe, just kind of really freaking enjoy the trope now. So what changed? Let's take a walk through my top five favorite zombies ever.

So let's go back to my childhood. Yes, I'm pretty young, I know. In my house, we were big Scooby-Doo fans. Couldn't get enough. I watched all the movies, TV shows, and all. Let's be honest, some of it was pretty scary for a cartoon. None more so than the 1998 hit Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island. Zombies, pirates, were-cats, voodoo, and the Louisiana bayou all rolled into one cartoon? Uh yeah, scary as hell. To this day it remains one of my all time favorite cartoon films. Those zombies were seriously legit. That and I tend to get the "It's Terror Time Again" song stuck in my head whenever I think of zombies. If you've never seen this one, you're really missing out.

So picking up from the screen side of things, I've recently took the plunge into trying to enjoy some television zombies. No, it's not TWD, but one other that really appealed to my love of crime shows and forensics: iZombie. Adapted from the wildly popular comic series, this new CW series has really taken me by storm, I seriously cannot get enough. It's a bit different than your average zombie series, but I'm thoroughly impressed. The first season is now in Netflix, be sure to check it out.

So honestly, that's about it when it comes to the visualized zombies that I can tolerate. Thankfully, there have been some absolutely incredible zombie book series that have really appealed to my inner bookworm. I've read about a dozen at this point, but these three are hands-down my favorite. Let's check them out!

First would have to be the novel that first introduced me to literary zombies, Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion. I know there's a lot of controversy around this one and it's inclusion in true zombie lore, but seriously as a newbie who was really hesitant about zombies in the first place, it was the perfect introduction for me. I've read these books so many times now. They're great!

Second would be The World Without End series by the incredible Nazarea Andrews. Right after I began my journey in the bookish world, I came across Andrews and this series. It's a New Adult zombie series that is full of horror, drama, and steam. I've been raving about this series for a long time now and all my bookish friends know how much Ren and Finn appealed to me. This four book series has now ended, but Andrews is beginning a spin-off series starting next year. Definitely worth adding to your TBR!

Finally we've got what would have to be my number one all-time favorite zombie anything ever. The absolutely amazing Rachel Auke's Deadland Saga. Oh holy hell you guys. On my list of all-time favorite book series, this one definitely is close to the top. I have never felt the wide spectrum of emotions I felt when I devoured this series. From absolute horror to heartbreaking emotion, it was one ride I'm not sure I'll ever be able to forget. I'm not an emotional reader but there were times when this series had me in tears. Nothing is sacred in the apocalypse and Aukes definitely knows it. Spinning the trilogy off as a retelling of Dante Alighieri's classic Dante's Inferno, Aukes weaves together the perfect series of survival and redemption in a shattering world. It's the only series I've seen that really closely follows the zombie apocalypse from the very beginning. I couldn't recommend this series any more if I tried.

As you guys can see, while I may not be a huge zombie fan, I've got a few zom-favories under my cap. Every time I read another zombie series it changes my bookish mind towards the zombie trope. While I don't believe it'll ever become my favorite, I think it's definitely going to be something I see becoming more and more prominent in my future! What about you guys? Fan of the films? The books? Let me know what you think in the comments below! To share some of my favorites with you all, I'm giving away box set copies of both Andrews and Aukes series below. Don't miss it!

*****

GIVEAWAY

Anxious to learn just how Nazarea Andrews and Rachel Aukes converted me to the dark side? I'm giving away a box set of EACH incredible series to a lucky winner. Enter the rafflecopter below and it could be you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Schedule:

OCTOBER 22 - Thursday

Band of Dystopian Authors & Fans (Party & Grand Prize Host) Jo Michaels Blog (author) Rissa Blakeley (author) OCTOBER 23 - Friday Claire C. Riley (author) 2 Girls & A Book (blog) Emily Shore (author) OCTOBER 24 - Saturday Kathy Dinisi (author) Us Girls & A Book (blog) The Voluptuous Book Diva (blog 18+) OCTOBER 25 - Sunday Casey L. Bond (author) THE KATY blog (blog) OCTOBER 26 - Monday Saul Tanpepper (author) Warren Fielding (author) The Leighgendarium (blog) OCTOBER 27 - Tuesday Kody Boye (author) Rhiannon Frater (author) ER Arroyo (author) OCTOBER 28 - Wednesday Allen Gamboa (author) Armand Rosamilia (author) Ethan @ One Guy's Guide to Good Reads (blog) OCTOBER 29 - Thursday Kate L. Mary (author) aftershockzombieseries (author) Eli Constant (author) OCTOBER 30 - Friday Aria Michaels (author) Brian Parker (author) Mama Reads Hazel Sleeps (blog) OCTOBER 31 - Saturday Cindy Carroll (author) M. R. Pritchard (author) Toni L.H. Boughton (author) Digital Dirty Girl (blog)

To learn more about Band of Dystopian and/or to enter our Grand Prize Giveaway, visit BandofDystopian.com and don't forget to join the group on Facebook!

*****

Thanks so much for stopping by! Don't miss out on all the fun, be sure to head on over to all the other blog tour stops for even more amazing giveaways and fun. Like what you read? Subscribe to One Guy's Guide to Good Reads via any of the links in the sidebar. Thanks so much for stopping by today and to the incredible gang over at Band of Dystopian for allowing me to participate in this blog hop. Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

The World Without a Future Box Set Bonus Content Reveal

Today we are revealing details of the bonus content from THE WORLD WITHOUT END Series Box Set by Nazarea Andrews. This set will be released tomorrow - Sunday, August 23rd. It contains each novel from the series and some amazing extras you won't want to miss.

 

BOOK BLURB:

The complete set of The World Without End series, with exclusive bonus content.

The World Without a Future--Book 1 Nurrin has spent her entire life in a world with zombies, behind the dubious safety of Haven walls. But when her Haven falls, she manages to escape with her boyfriend, brother and her brother's partner. Finn O'Malley wants nothing more than to leave his past behind. But on the run in zombie nfested lands, he's forced to work with Nurrin to find the medicine that might save her boyfriend. The Havens are falling, and in the end, everything ends in blood. The Horde Without End It was supposed to be over. But the stakes are even higher and there is no one to trust but Finn. They're following breadcrumbs, and Finn's past is catching up with them. And time is running out--the zombies aren't the only dangerous thing in the world. In the end, there is only blood--blood that is spilled, and blood that is shared. The Future Without Hope Everything has changed. The Order has their hands in every dark corner of the Haven. With enemies on every side, and the horde bringing down the Havens, the question isn't who will survive. It's how far are they willing to go? In the end, only one thing will matter... The Ruin of the World The thrilling conclusion to The World Without End series. In the East, working for the Order, everything will change in one last battle. 

It all ends in blood Box Set Contents The World Without A Future The Horde Without End The Future Without Hope The Ruin of the World Dinner in the Haven--Short Story The Road Less Traveled--Short Story The Girl Who Fought the East--Short Story Reclaiming the West--Novella Exclusive look at The Blood Scion

Note from Nazarea Andrews:

I think it’s no secret that one of my favorite things is zombies. I love them, and going back to my little zombie infested apocalypse was so much fun. I knew almost from the first book that at the end I wanted to release a box set. And I wanted to tell stories that I didn’t get to in the novels. Finn said—repeatedly—that only one thing mattered. Keeping Ren safe. For him, that was the goal, that was the entire story. And that’s the story I told—Finn and Ren’s and when they found their happily ever after (or for now, considering the world), that’s where it ended. But that left a lot of really wide open stories, right? And this was my chance to share some of those stories. Here’s a little taste of what you’ll get in the box set. 

Dinner in the Haven—set before The World Without a Future, join Ren, Finn and Collin for a typical evening. Get to see a snapshot of life before the zombies brought down the walls and everything between Finn and Ren changed. The Road Less Traveled—We know what happened to Finn and Ren when they left to find medicine. But what caused Collin and Dustin to leave the safety of the Hole, and how did they end up traveling with a priest? Find out what Collin was doing and why. 

The Girl Who Fought The East—Of all the things from Finn’s past, Kelsey Buchman might be the most enigmatic. For the first time, go back to the War of the East and see Finn, when he still had his best friend, and that rarest of things—hope. 

Reclaiming The West—There were three stories that didn’t get tied neatly into a bow when I end The Ruin of The World. And this tells a little bit more—what happened in the Holdout, and what happened to Holly, Lori, Sylvia and Omar. 

Sneak Peek at The Blood Scion—my next series is so much fun. I adored Ren and Finn, but getting to know the world and characters in this one—it’s been a blast! Get a glimpse of the lore behind the Scion, and read the first three chapters of The Blood Scion.

 

CLICK HERE TO ADD THE BOX SET TO GOODREADS.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 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. AUTHOR LINKS:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Street Team