Monday 31 December 2012

Book Review: Revealing Eden by Victoria Foyt

Goodreads Summary: Eden Newman must mate before her 18th birthday in six months or she'll be left outside to die in a burning world. But who will pick up her mate-option when she's cursed with white skin and a tragically low mate-rate of 15%? In a post-apocalyptic, totalitarian, underground world where class and beauty are defined by resistance to an overheated environment, Eden's coloring brands her as a member of the lowest class, a weak and ugly Pearl. If only she can mate with a dark-skinned Coal from the ruling class, she'll be safe. Just maybe one Coal sees the Real Eden and will be her salvation her co-worker Jamal has begun secretly dating her. But when Eden unwittingly compromises her father's secret biological experiment, she finds herself in the eye of a storm and thrown into the last area of rainforest, a strange and dangerous land. Eden must fight to save her father, who may be humanity's last hope, while standing up to a powerful beast-man she believes is her enemy, despite her overwhelming attraction. Eden must change to survive but only if she can redefine her ideas of beauty and of love, along with a little help from her "adopted aunt" Emily Dickinson.



Title: Revealing Eden
Series: Save the Pearls #1
Author: Victoria Foyt
Publisher: Sand Dollar Press Inc
Release Date: First published 6th October 2011
Format: e-galley
Source: Publisher via NetGalley


Wow, this is an amazing fantasy novel. I have seen a lot of mixed reviews regarding this book, generally because of the racism that some believe this book is about. I have read and am reviewing the book for the whole story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  This is a unique and riveting book that I couldn’t put down; I read it in one day and found the page turner storyline and characters fascinating.

Eden Newman is seventeen and a half years old, in six months she will be eighteen and if she doesn’t find a mate, she will be left outside in the heat to die. In a world where procreation is limited to one child per couple, her meals consist of pills and water is rationed to a cup a day; Eden is starting to panic that she will die of The Heat and never find her mate. Civilisation has been all but wiped out and the survivors are living in tunnels underground away from the blazing sun. Eden’s Father is a scientist and a very good one; he is trying to adapt humans DNA with an animal’s DNA in order to help humans survive on the surface.

It is unusual for Eden and her Father to have such highly ranked jobs; their social standing is classed as low because they are Pearls. Pearls have light coloured skin and Eden in particular has a very low mate-rate of only 15%. Eden works in her Father’s lab assisting with the test subjects and on this particular day trouble starts. Eden and her Supervisor have an altercation; Eden tries to run away and is caught by the guy that runs the place, Bramford. Eden sees Bramford as arrogant and a self-righteous man that is only out for power and glory.

The test subjects go missing and as a last resort Bramford requests that he become the new experiment. There is an explosion in the lab during the procedure and all hell breaks loose. Bramford takes Eden and her Father on his jet to escape. Eden feels she is kidnapped and doesn’t know what will happen to her life or her Father.

Arriving in the Jungle, Bramford is adapting to his new DNA and is unpredictable. Eden doesn’t know why he helps them or where they are going.  Arriving in a small village they have to adapt to their new surrounding and the food available. There is something very mysterious going on, the children are calling Eden Rebecca and nobody will tell her why.

Will Eden ever find out why Bramford is really helping them? Does she have feelings for Bramford or does she like just ticking him off? Will they ever get back to civilisation? Can Eden really survive out on the surface? Can Eden find out the mystery behind Bramford and who Rebecca is?

I cannot wait for book 2, Adapting Eden to be released next year; Goodreads says it is due for release in January, but I found somewhere else that it isn’t until March. Anyway, I will be looking out for it and can’t wait to see what happens to Eden, Bramford and her Father next. I really loved the story behind this book, the world building could have been a little more detailed as to what and how everything happened, but the characters and Eden in particular are intriguing. Eden is struggling through her life and trying to work out what it all means. Being an emotional 17 year old is difficult at the best of times, but put in the mix of trying to live in a jungle with a strange man that she has always had to fear, well what more could you want. Betrayal, love, mystery, family relationships and adventure all mixed into one. I recommend this to those that enjoy a fantasy.

5 AWESOME STARS



About the Author
Victoria Foyt's debut novel, The Virtual Life of Lexie Diamond, a young adult fantasy 
mystery thriller (HarperCollins) was Recommended by The Center for Children's Books, and received a five-star, must read rating from Teens Read Too: “Foyt has created a compelling character and an electrifying story that will hold readers until the last page.”

Victoria co-wrote and starred in several acclaimed feature films, including "Going Shopping" with Rob Morrow, "Déjà Vu" with Vanessa Redgrave, "Last Summer in the Hamptons" with Melissa Leo, and "Babyfever" with Eric Roberts.

Victoria has appeared on news outlets such as Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight, E! Entertainment, HBO, CNN-TV, Showbiz Today, ABC Radio, Turner TV Entertainment Report, TNT Rough Cuts, and Westwood One Radio, and has received extensive coverage on Siskel & Ebert. 

She also has been featured in Vogue Magazine, O at Home, Elle Magazine, Movieline, Venice Magazine, Avenue Magazine, Night Magazine, Moviemaker Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, La Opinion, Miami New Times, Dramalogue, and Backstage West, among others. 

Born and raised in Coral Gables, Florida, Victoria attended the University of Miami, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in French and Spanish and German. She currently resides in Santa Monica, California. She loves reading--at least two or three books a month--movies, tennis, swimming, hiking, and lots of dark chocolate.




Sunday 30 December 2012

In My Mailbox #20



In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.  Sharing books that have been received for review, purchased or given as a gift.  The hope is that you will share in the comment section what you received this week.

For Review


Dented Cans by Heather Walsh ~ Author
A Tangle of Traitors (The Phenomenals #1) by F.E. Higgins ~ Macmillan Children's
The Rules (Project Paper Doll #1) by Stacey Kade ~ Disney-Hyperion via NetGalley


Showstoppers by Helen Smith
Three Sisters by Helen Smith
These two are for a blog tour coming in February 2013

Thank you to Heather Walsh, Macmillan Children's Books, Disney-Hyperion and Helen Smith for supplying these awesome books for review.

Won


Human by Alycia Linwood
Thank you Alycia for sending me a copy and hosting a giveaway.

Purchased
As usual I have gone a little nuts buying books again
eBooks


For the Love of a Vampire (Blood Like Poison #1) by M Leighton ~ FREE
Because of Low (Sea Breeze #2) by Abbi Glines
Broken (This Trilogy #1) by J.B. McGree


Sovereign Hope (The Hope Series #1) by Frankie Rose
Witch Song (Witch Song #1) by Amber Argyle
Witch Born (Witch Song #2) by Amber Argyle - FREE


Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
Stealing Parker (Hundred Oaks #2) by Miranda Kenneally
Ephemeral (The Countenance #1) by Addison Moore


Make It Last (Friends and Lovers Trilogy #1) by Bethany Lopez
Forever My Girl (The Beautmont #1) by Heidi McLaughlin

Paperbacks


Indigo Awakening (The Hunted #1) by Jordan Dane
Falling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms #1) by Morgan Rhodes - I read the NetGalley version, but had to get a paperback, love the cover and the book overall.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year's! Enjoy the fireworks!

What did you receive in your mailbox this week?

Saturday 29 December 2012

Challenges for 2012 - RECAP

So a recap of the challenges I set myself for 2012; I failed miserably because I didn't read for about six months. I was pregnant at the beginning of the year and was quite ill and exhausted, so I didn't read anything until around June or July. Anyway, below is the recap:

YA Mythology Challenge


The challenge was to read 10 YA or Middle Grade mythology books for the whole year. I read 5 books, so I was half way there.



OutDo Yourself Reading Challenge



I went for Breaking a Sweat level and had to increase my total by 11-15 books from 2011, my goal was 110. As of today, I am at 66 books read in 2012, so again I didn't reach my goal.

For a full list of the books I've read this year, please click HERE.

I am participating in this one again for 2013.

YA Historical Fiction Challenge


My goal was to read 10 books this year and I actually read 3 books.


How did you go with your challenges for 2012?

I have joined some different challenges for 2013 and I am excited to get a full year of reading and to reach my goals.

Romantic Suspense Reading Challenge - sign up HERE
Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge - sign up HERE
Paranormal Reading Challenge - sign up HERE
TBR Pile Reading Challenge - sign up HERE

Happy New Year and let's bring in 2013 with a bang!!


Friday 28 December 2012

Cover Reveal: Sworn to Raise by Terah Edun

Sworn to Raise by Terah Edun
Series: Courtlight #1
Publisher: Amazon Digital
Release date: 
March 15th, 2013






Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Ciardis has grown up in poverty, a cleaner in a small vale on the outskirts of the kingdom. But beneath her kingdom’s seemingly idyllic surface lies a hidden secret. Whispers of an inept crown Prince are growing ever louder—intensified by the five year anniversary of the soulbond initiations.
Amidst scandalous whispers, Ciardis finds herself chosen to train for the Companion’s Guild. She leaves her home and sets off on a personal journey to become a Court Companion. A position she’d never thought possible for a lowly servant to obtain, she must prove that she has the skills to attract a Patron.

But she must master those skills quickly. If the legends are true, only Ciardis can harness the power to raise a Prince in an Imperial Court sworn to bring him down.
This sensational series debut melds intricate storylines with remarkable characters and unforgettable magic. Sworn To Raise is ideal for fans of Kristin Cashore, Michelle Sagara, and Maria Snyder.






About the Author
Terah Edun is an international development professional and author/lover of all things Young Adult Fantasy fiction. She is a native Georgian, adoptive Washingtonian, unrepentant expat currently living in South Sudan, brilliant dreamer, lover of dogs and not-so-closet geek. Her first novel, Red Madrassa, was released on November 8th and her second novel, Sworn to Raise, comes out in March 2013.



Giveaway
Terah is offering a $60 Amazon Gift Card
Ends 31st December 2012

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Thursday 27 December 2012

Book Review: The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark

Goodreads Summary: I gasped, or tried to. My mouth opened, but I couldn’t draw breath. His lips, pearly wet, parted and he blew into my mouth. My lungs expanded beneath his weight. When I exhaled he sucked my breath in and his weight turned from cold marble into warm living flesh. Since accepting a teaching position at remote Fairwick College in upstate New York, Callie McFay has experienced the same disturbingly erotic dream every night: A mist enters her bedroom, then takes the shape of a virile, seductive stranger who proceeds to ravish her in the most toe-curling, wholly satisfying ways possible. Perhaps these dreams are the result of her having written the bestselling book The Sex Lives of Demon Lovers. Callie’s lifelong passion is the intersection of lurid fairy tales and Gothic literature—which is why she’s found herself at Fairwick’s renowned folklore department, living in a once-stately Victorian house that, at first sight, seemed to call her name. But Callie soon realizes that her dreams are alarmingly real. She has a demon lover—an incubus—and he will seduce her, pleasure her, and eventually suck the very life from her. Then Callie makes another startling discovery: Her incubus is not the only mythical creature in Fairwick. As the tenured witches of the college and the resident fairies in the surrounding woods prepare to cast out the demon, Callie must accomplish something infinitely more difficult—banishing this supernatural lover from her heart.



Title: The Demon Lover
Series:  The Fairwick Chronicles #1
Author: Juliet Dark
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Release Date: 21st July 2011
Format: e-galley
Source: Publisher via NetGalley


This was a fantastic read, something dark, mysterious and romantic. I would suggest this is aimed toward an adult genre with all the lovely detailing of the dreams and storytelling. It was a little longer than the books I have been currently reading, but it was needed to tell the whole story of Callie McFay. The writing style of Juliet Dark was awesome and the story was fast paced.

Callie McFay started having very sexy dreams when she was a teenager; after her parents died she started having these dreams when she needed somebody to watch over her and then they faded as she aged. After finishing college and having a long term, long distance relationship, Callie is offered an interview at a small exclusive college called Fairwick College, in upstate New York. Hoping her boyfriend will soon get a job in New York, they will finally be able to move in together.

Callie goes to Fairwick for her interview and is drawn into the woods and to an old Victorian house hidden away. It appears run down and covered with honeysuckle, but the windows are open and Callie is enchanted. She stays overnight in the local Inn and just has to see the realtor about looking through the house. The next day, it is all set up and Callie falls in love with the house; she must buy it. This changes her plans with her boyfriend, but Callie is drawn to it and the woods surrounding.

Seeing strange things around the house and in the house, Callie isn’t sure if the house is haunted by the previous owner, also an Author and one that Callie has read. The house has old manuscripts and notebooks from the author and all her journals, but the only problem is that they are not to leave the house. So Callie sets up office in a spare room and sorts them through. The funny thing is that the story in the notebooks doesn’t match the printed version and some of the details match the sexy dreams that Callie started having again.

Since moving into the house and taking the position as Folklore Professor at Fairwick College, Callie has started having the same strange sexy dreams from her adolescence, the return of The Demon Lover. She is sure they are dreams, but at times they feel so real that in the morning she is sore and doesn’t know what is a dream and what is real.

There seems to be an outbreak at the college where the students are all extremely tired and anaemic, Callie is not sure if it is the local Vampires or there is an incubus in town.  This is a mystery and Callie is also having the same symptoms, she is determined to find out who the culprit is and banish them. Callie discovers there are other Professors at her College that have special abilities and the town in general isn’t what it seems.

Will Callie be able to ascertain what is real and what is just a dream? Who is The Demon Lover and why is he visiting her again? Who is the creature draining the students and Callie of their soul? What will happen to Callie’s long distance relationship?

I really enjoyed this book, it is so very unusual and dark gothic, something I don’t generally read, but it was fantastic. The romance aspect was very intriguing and I was left guessing the whole way through the book as to what happened to The Demon Lover and if Callie would ever get to be with her boyfriend. The Demon Lover was a great introduction to the series, giving the reader a little insight into the paranormal beings that inhabit Fairwick College. Each book appears to be a stand-alone, but has a common theme, the College. I can’t wait to read The Water Witch, which I have also received from NetGalley.


5 DARK MYSTERIOUS BOOKS


About the Author
Juliet Dark is a pseudonym for Carol Goodman and is also the author of The Lake of Dead Languages. Her work has appeared in such journals as The Greensboro Review, Literal Latt, The Midwest Quarterly, and Other Voices. After graduation from Vassar College, where she majored in Latin, she taught Latin for several years in Austin, Texas. She then received an M.F.A. in fiction from the New School University. Goodman currently teaches writing and works as a writer-in-residence for Teachers and Writers. She lives on Long Island.
~ via Goodreads