Free Today on Amazon

I've come across a few great free books on Amazon today! Hopefully you will get a chance to check them out.

Prince of Wolves ~ Quinn Loftis
summary: Jacque Pierce was just an ordinary 17 year old girl getting ready to start her senior year in high school in Coldspring, Texas. When a mysterious foreign exchange student from Romania moves in across the street, Jacque and her two best friends, Sally and Jen, don't realize the last two weeks of their summer was going to get a lot more interesting. From the moment Jacque sets eyes on Fane she feels an instant connection, a pull like a moth to a flame. Little does she know that the flame she is drawn to is actually a Canis Lupus, werewolf, and she just happens to be his mate; the other half of his soul. The problem is Fane is not the only wolf in Coldspring, Texas. Just as Fane and Jacque are getting to know each other, another wolf steps out to try and claim Jacque as his mate. Fane will now have to fight for the right to complete the mating bond, something that is his right by birth but is being denied him by a crazed Alpha. Will the love Fane has for Jacque be enough to give him the strength to defeat his enemy, will Jacque accept that she is Fane's mate and complete the bond between them?

Hunters Blood ~ Rue Volley
Summary: Welcome to the world of deviant vampires who can never get enough.
Vanessa is a tortured soul, or perhaps a tortured immortal. A girl who was turned at the age of 18 and is battling her growing hunger for blood and sexual gratification.
Vanessa dreams of 'Hunter', the boy who gave her this gift, or perhaps it is a curse.
We shall soon find out how hard it is to fight the needs of a vampire who is trying to pretend that humanity still lives in a heart that is no longer beating. This series is graffic in nature, 18+ adult read only with language, sexual situations and violence.

Turned ~ Morgan Rice

In TURNED (Book #1 of the Vampire Journals series), 18 year old Caitlin Paine finds herself uprooted from her nice suburb and forced to attend a dangerous New York City high school when her Mom moves again. The one ray of light in her new surroundings is Jonah, a new classmate who takes an instant liking to her.

But before their romance can blossom, Caitlin suddenly finds herself changing. She is overcome by a superhuman strength, a sensitivity to light, a desire to feed--by feelings she does not understand. She seeks answers to what’s happening to her, and her cravings lead her to the wrong place at the wrong time. Her eyes are opened to a hidden world, right beneath her feet, thriving underground in New York City. She finds herself caught between two dangerous covens, right in the middle of a vampire war.

It is at this moment that Caitlin meets Caleb, a mysterious and powerful vampire who rescues her from the dark forces. He needs her to help lead him to the legendary lost artifact. And she needs him for answers, and for protection. Together, they will need to answer one crucial question: who was her real father? 

Secret of the Wolf ~ Cynthia Garner

Secret of the Wolf by Cynthia Garner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Cythnia Garner has done it again. This is the second book in her Warriors of the rift series and I have to say I couldn't tear myself away from it! Picking up shortly after the first book, Secret of the Wolf, follows two secondary characters from the first book as they continue on their investigation of the rift machine.

Summary:
Warriors of the Rift
Once a generation, the rift between the paranormal world and the human world opens, allowing supernatural entities to cross. Vampire, demon, or shapeshifter, they can save the world-or send it spiraling into chaos.
As a werewolf liaison to the Council of Preternaturals, Tori Joseph is used to straddling the world between humans and immortals. She plays by the rules and always delivers justice, no matter the cost. But after a string of increasingly brutal attacks results in humans turning into werewolves, Tori doesn't reveal her horrifying suspicion: Someone very close to her might be responsible.

Investigating the paranormal violence, no-nonsense detective Dante MacMillan believes Tori is hiding something. His search for the truth draws him into greater danger as he gets closer to the dark realm of the immortals-and to the sexy werewolf who stirs his primal lust. Now with evil closing in around them, Dante must convince Tori to trust him . . . before her deadly secret destroys them both.


My Take: 


We find Tori, a werewolf, forced to work with Dante, a human cop, in order to figure out the strange rift machine. Along the way they learn to trust each other, even as the people around them are threatening to change everything. Tori must walk a fine line between family, loyalty and love. Dante is so caught up in keeping himself from getting involved that he finds himself right in the middle.


I have to say I've loved Dante from book one. He's a cop, he drives a big truck and he has horses (specifically an Appaloosa, my fav) whats not to love. I did find myself wishing he would get it together and date Tori on more than one occasion, but he came around eventually.


Now that we are at the second book the whole idea of the rift is easier to understand. I also liked that Cynthia Garner took the time to explain a little more about the way the essence of one being and the humans can join together.


This book had a mix of everything; paranormal, romance and a little mystery. A great summer read that works as a standalone but I believe is made better by reading the first book. Check out my review of the first in the series  Kiss if the Vampire and my author interview. 

One Day Blitz ~ Shadows of Kings ~ Jack Whitsel

SHADOWS OF KINGS

by Jack Whitsel

Summary:

Steel and sorcery clash as the Harhn incursion sweeps through the Hugue. Mankind faces its greatest peril without the Order Knights of legend to defend them. Crusading deep in the frontier, the Order is unaware of the savage beasts threatening their homeland as the Hugue realms muster their armies for war.

Between a cunning Harhn sorcerer, and an alliance forged with the decadent Darkfey, the horde threatens to extinguish the domains of men. Only Lord Baudouin and Lady Lucia, a Dragon Maiden from the Order, stand in the enemy’s path. One must find the strength to unify the realms. The other must discover the strength within her, while coming to terms with the agendas of her Order. But only together will there be any hope to repel the onslaught, and preserve the future for a mysterious girl they do not know.

Chapter excerpt: 

http://twilighttimesbooks.com/ShadowsofKings_ch1.html

About the Author: 

Jack Whitsel is a native Californian, but has made Oregon his home since 1982. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Finance from Portland State University, but studies medieval history in his spare time.  His favorite genres are fantasy and historical fiction with a medieval emphasis. Shadows of Kings, the first novel of the Dragon Rising Series is the love child born of these two passions.

“I love the elements of fantasy when mixed with the gritty aspects of a medieval society,” states the author.

Website: http://www.jackwhitsel.com

Blog: http://jwhitsel.wordpress.com

Facebook fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shadows-of-Kings-Book-one-of-the-Dragon-Rising-Series/119975978113722

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JackWhitsel

Purchase info:

Title: Shadows of KingsAuthor: Jack WhitselAuthor web site: http://www.jackwhitsel.com
Publisher: Twilight Times Booksurl: http://twilighttimesbooks.com/
Genre: Fantasy
Print ISBN: 978-1-60619-223-8
Format: trade paperback
Distributors: Brodart, Follett, Ingram

eBook ISBN: 978-1-60619-222-1
Format: ebook in pdf, ePub, Kindle, Mobi, PRC, etc.

Distributors: Amazon Kindle; Apple iBookstore; BN.com Nook; eReader; Fictionwise; Kobo Books; OmniLit; Sony eBookstore, etc.

Seeker of Shadows ~ Nancy Gideon

Seeker of Shadows by Nancy Gideon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received this one direct from the publisher and boy was I glad I did!


Summary:
NANCY GIDEON CONTINUES HER COMPELLING, SENSUAL NEW SERIES WITH A SEDUCTIVE TALE OF FORBIDDEN ALLEGIANCE AND REDISCOVERED LOVE.

His town.

Susanna Duchamps came to New Orleans to settle a debt and to temporarily escape the controlled constraints of her life among the Chosen. What she finds is an opportunity to make miraculous strides with her research into Shifter genetics . . . and an unexpected, but never forgotten, man from her complicated past.

Her rules.

Shifter club owner Jacques LaRoche is fiercely protective of his freedom. Stripped of his memories of a former life, he longs for the mate he lost . . . until the enticingly familiar presence of a mysterious stranger from the north ignites a primal, nearly uncontrollable need to release the untamed beast inside him.

Their last chance.

Susanna dares not tell Jacques it was she who sacrificed his past and her future years ago, to protect him and the secret she carried. But her arrival in New Orleans comes with consequences. When a bloody confrontation erupts between their enemy clans, will she betray her lover once again—or throw her own life on the line so they can finish what they started?

My Take:


Seeker of Shadows had everything a good Urban fantasy should; shifters, danger & romance. Now truthfully there wasn't a whole lot of shifting going on. I have to say I enjoyed the way Gideon presented the powers of the shifters. They seemed more like seamless changes, as if we were dealing with the different abilities of one individual as opposed to people who are fighting their beast half. I'm honestly still not quite sure what the Chosen are. Super intelligent and mostly unemotional I guess they are the Vulcans of Earth, so to speak.


As the story starts out we find ourselves in a shifter bar where the main character feels very uncomfortable. Her race have been taught that shifters are stupid and over come by their emotions. Obviously this would make anyone a little cautious at first. But Susanna isn't totally what she seems and is able to look past the stereotypes and try to help those who she was brought up to look down upon.


I have to say I really loved this book. I was sucked in by the end of the first chapter and ended up reading the whole thing in one day. The characters were amazingly done. The type that really stick with you even after you close the book. Jacques is a raw yet caring man. Trying to do right by those who have helped him and also those who turn to him for help. Susanna is struggling with her own emotions, struggling to decide if it is better to give in or stay true to her race.


If your looking for a fast paced novel check this one out.

Check out Nancy Gideon on her website.

The Last Arakad ~ Guillaume Wolf "Prof. G"

Thanks everyone for stopping by today! Please don't forget to check out our guest post, Villians we love to hate.

Summary: Do you believe in destiny? When sensitive Maya moves with her brother Thomas from Los Angeles to Paris hoping for a better life, she has no idea that everything is about to dramatically change. What starts as an initiation into the age-old Arakad magical tradition takes an unexpected turn when a wave of brutal murders shatters her world. Caught up in an ancient prophecy, she finds herself at the center of a ruthless battle between good and evil in which humanity’s future is at stake. When all hope is lost and she becomes the final target of a sinister clan, will Maya learn to trust herself and her own power? Or will her own fears prevail?

My Take: 

The Last Arakad was a definite break from my usual fantasy novels. I always enjoy a break :) The story follows Maya and her brother as they deal not only with heart ache but also self discovery. The characters are enjoyable and believable with real human flaws that you can relate to. 

The information about the Arakad itself is well developed. Making you feel as though you are reading a well research book, instead of one developed in the authors mind. It takes quality writing to make readers believe the unbelievable and Prof G has done just that.

You will find yourself draw to this story, I'm sure of it! I will warn you though. You may loose a little sleep, it can be hard to put down

5 Kindle versions of Arakad will be given away tour wide

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest Post ~ Villains we love to hate

Villains We Love to Hate

Hi, this is Guillaume Wolf “Prof. G,” author of the newly released supernatural thriller, The Last Arakad. Before we start, I want to thank Wolf Majick Reviews for inviting me to guest blog; it’s a pleasure to be here.

So today, I’d like to talk with you about villains.

Moriarty, Captain Hook, The Joker, Mr Hyde, Patrick Bateman, Hannibal Lecter, Voldemort, and Darth Vader . . . These fictional characters are all villains we love to hate. 

But why, you may ask? Why do we enjoy villains in stories so much?

The superficial answer is that they’re entertaining. Without a villain (or a major opposing force), you don’t really have a story. A really good villain creates a tension and gives the hero or heroine a reason the push beyond his/her limitations. The villain forces the hero to grow. 

But is that all? . . . Is the villain just a catalyst in a literary plot? If so, where does our fascination come from?

As an author, I spend quite some time researching material to create my villains, which leads me to study some very unsavory characters; but I never end up staying close to factual material. In a story, a perfect villain needs to have certain over-the-top qualities that allow us to connect with him/her. Great villains must be larger than life and capture our imagination. That’s enchantment at work. And it’s during this act of enchantment that fascination occurs.

This brings another question: why do we love stories so much?

Again, the first answer would be: “because they entertain us.” But good stories do more than that. They help us make sense of our world and the tribulations of our lives. The struggles of the hero become our struggles. Or perhaps, we project on the hero our own story.

In the same way (but on the dark side of the coin), the villain is a reflection of our shadow self. With the fictional villain, our shadow self, filled with unconscious desires for absolutism, destruction, or domination, can safely be expressed in the space of a story. We don’t even have to register it. And as you read this you might even think: “What is he talking about? I don’t have a shadow self! I’m an angel!” Are you, really?

Do we secretly wish the villain could win? Sometimes.

But interestingly enough, when a few bold authors make the villain triumph (by killing the hero, for example) we leave a book (or a movie theater) with a horrible aftertaste. We feel cheated.

Order must be restored in the story because it reflects on our interior ecology. We want to find this balance inside as well.

In my novel The Last Arakad, the heroine, Maya, has to fight a ruthless evil clan led by an ancient demon. The action takes place in modern Paris (a city I grew up in) and this conflict is the overt battle. But could it be possible that the real villain of the story hides undercover, close to Maya? 

Unfortunately I can’t go on any longer without creating a major spoiler; but let me tell you this: I feel the best villains are the ones that appear under sheep’s clothing, the ones that seduce and cajole us. The ones that promise us the moon. 

Why? Because these types of villains are the most dangerous—truly evil as they possess a “luciferian” quality. Lucifer (another name for Satan) comes from a Latin root that means “light-bearer.” But this ‘light’ is poisonous and twisted; and the reward for the power offered is always outmatched by the real price to pay (losing your Soul, for an example). 

But for now, I invite you to discover The Last Arakad so you can tell me if I succeeded in creating a villain you love to hate.

Next, I’m curious to read your comments: What are your favorite villains and why?

  

Guillaume Wolf "Prof. G" is the author of the supernatural thriller, The Last Arakad (http://arakad.com),

and reDESIGN: reCREATE (http://redesignrecreate.com), a book on reinvention and creativity.

   

In My Mailbox

Hi Everyone! This week I have a bunch of great books In My Mail Box!

Lets start with one I was very excited to receive this week...

Seeker of the Shadows by Nancy Gideon
Now this is the second in Nancy Gideon's New Orleans series,(6th in the Moonlight Series) mix a  hot  Shifter guy with a  super powerful Chosen woman and you have the recipe for a fantastic novel. Here's the summary


NANCY GIDEON CONTINUES HER COMPELLING, SENSUAL NEW SERIES WITH A SEDUCTIVE TALE OF FORBIDDEN ALLEGIANCE AND REDISCOVERED LOVE.
His town.
Susanna Duchamps came to New Orleans to settle a debt and to temporarily escape the controlled constraints of her life among the Chosen. What she finds is an opportunity to make miraculous strides with her research into Shifter genetics . . . and an unexpected, but never forgotten, man from her complicated past.
Her rules.
Shifter club owner Jacques LaRoche is fiercely protective of his freedom. Stripped of his memories of a former life, he longs for the mate he lost . . . until the enticingly familiar presence of a mysterious stranger from the north ignites a primal, nearly uncontrollable need to release the untamed beast inside him.
Their last chance.
Susanna dares not tell Jacques it was she who sacrificed his past and her future years ago, to protect him and the secret she carried. But her arrival in New Orleans comes with consequences. When a bloody confrontation erupts between their enemy clans, will she betray her lover once again—or throw her own life on the line so they can finish what they started?

Next I have the pdf of another interesting book as part of a tour next week. Stop on by Tues to check out my review and the authors guest post!

The Last Arakad by Guillaume Wolf

summary:

Do you believe in destiny? When sensitive Maya moves with her brother Thomas from Los Angeles to Paris hoping for a better life, she has no idea that everything is about to dramatically change. What starts as an initiation into the age-old Arakad magical tradition takes an unexpected turn when a wave of brutal murders shatters her world. Caught up in an ancient prophecy, she finds herself at the center of a ruthless battle between good and evil in which humanity’s future is at stake. When all hope is lost and she becomes the final target of a sinister clan, will Maya learn to trust herself and her own power? Or will her own fears prevail?

Now I scored the second installment in the new Warriors of the Rift Series

Secret of The Wolf by Cynthia Garner

Now some of you may remember I reviewed the first in this series (Kiss of the Vampire) earlier during the year and loved it so fingers crossed for this one as well!

Summary

Warriors of the RiftOnce a generation, the rift between the paranormal world and the human world opens, allowing supernatural entities to cross. Vampire, demon, or shapeshifter, they can save the world-or send it spiraling into chaos.As a werewolf liaison to the Council of Preternaturals, Tori Joseph is used to straddling the world between humans and immortals. She plays by the rules and always delivers justice, no matter the cost. But after a string of increasingly brutal attacks results in humans turning into werewolves, Tori doesn't reveal her horrifying suspicion: Someone very close to her might be responsible.

Investigating the paranormal violence, no-nonsense detective Dante MacMillan believes Tori is hiding something. His search for the truth draws him into greater danger as he gets closer to the dark realm of the immortals-and to the sexy werewolf who stirs his primal lust. Now with evil closing in around them, Dante must convince Tori to trust him . . . before her deadly secret destroys them both.

Now direct from the author I have one that sounds like fun 

Her Unwelcome Inheritance by J. Aleksandr  Wootton 

A story about Faerie, going off to university, family tensions, supernatural stalkers, and what to do when people you respect reveal that they believe in something absurd and impossible.

Ok my last one for today is the first in another series by Rue Volley, special thanks to Rue and Vamptasy Publishing for making this a free download

Blood and Light by Rue Volley

summary:

Enter into the world of 16 year-old Rue Volley...who, up until one fateful night, thought she was "normal" or as "normal" as she could be.
But "normal" does not include being a vampire...a truth about herself that she will soon discover.

Rue Volley lives in the quiet little town of Calvary, Minnesota...nestled in the thick woods lining the Great Lakes. Rue, along with her
brother Kai, have lived an otherwise calm life up until their Mother was committed into Rolling River Asylum, after she mysteriously stopped
speaking to anyone. Rue is convinced by her brother to attend a party on her birthday, and after she experiences something that she cannot
explain, she and everyone in her world is thrown into madness. Join Rue on this epic journey, 6 books in all, as she struggles with grief,
love, humor, old crushes, new found infatuations, hot boys, AND vampires, lots and lots of them.

This first book in the series starts you on a journey that you will find hard to ignore and once you start reading you will be hooked...or
perhaps bitten.

I certainly have a great week ahead of me! Check back for the reviews of these great books.

The Dragonslayer's Sword ~ Resa Nelson

The Dragonslayer's Sword by Resa Nelson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Now this one I happened to pick up by chance. The writer happened to be at a local Ren faire so I figured I would pick up a copy. If you enjoy fantasy that this one is for you.


Summary;
For Astrid, a blacksmith who makes swords for dragonslayers, the emergence of a strange gemstone from her body sets in motion a chain of events that threaten to destroy her life. Her happiness is shattered when her lover-the dragonslayer-disappears without a trace, and the life that she knows and loves implodes without warning. Astrid lives in a world of shapeshifters whose thoughts have the power to change not only themselves but others. Everything Astrid knows to be true is called into question when she learns the truth about her past and the mysterious family from which she was separated as a child. Reality turns inside out as Astrid gradually learns the truth about the people she loves as well as those she disdains. With the fate of dragons, ghosts, and slaves in foreign lands resting on her shoulders, Astrid faces the challenge of deciding who she is and how she will stand up inside her own skin. Will she withdraw and hide from the world that has disappointed her so much...or will she rise to lead others to freedom and peace?


My Take:


 The summary really doesn't do this one justice. Resa Nelson has crafted a world of shape shifters unlike any you have read before. Even better than that is the fact that she is able to craft a whole new world you understand in just one book. It usually takes me into the second book of a new series to enjoy the world its in but this world just seems to flow.


Astrid is a woman driven by an inner strength even she can not comprehend. She is like the metal she works so hard to shape, strong but changeable in infinite ways. Ready to defend those around her, even at great cost to herself.
This is a story of compassion, self discovery and love. In a world where the magic comes from within and Dragons are abundant. Even the concept of what a dragon really is will be challenged. This was a fantastic fantasy experience. 


To learn more about Resa Nelson check out her website. The Dragonslayer's Sword is available on Amazon as well as the next books in the series.

Angelas Coven ~ Bruce Jenvey

Angelas Coven ~ Bruce Jenvey
4 stars

I received Angelas Coven to review last month but have been so backlogged I just got to it this week. Boy was a glad I made time for it though. After reading a slew of Vamp and Were novels I was ready for a nice change of pace.


Summary:
Reggie Sinclair is an aging British rock star living in New York City who has just found out he is terminally ill. He also has a very dark secret: When he was still an undiscovered teenager, he sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for his great fame and success. As his life draws to an end, he prepares to face the inevitable until he stumbles upon a very enchanting, modern-day witch named Angela, and her untraditional coven.

Angela gradually introduces Reggie to her world of old school Witchcraft with its roots in alchemy and ‘natural chemistry’ dating to the Dark Ages. As their relationship grows, they devise a plan to break Reggie’s contract and save his soul.

This is a story of the struggle between good and evil with a cast of characters that ranges from guardian angels to young witches-in-training. Together, they have to come to terms with the uncertainties of love, loss, and life decisions to save Reggie from an unbearable eternity. Here is a plot filled with unexpected twists and surprises to the very last page that will also cast an entirely different light on anything you may have ever considered as faith!


My Take:


I found the first chapter or two a little slow, but once I was three or four in the storyline really picked up. I enjoyed the way Bruce Jenvey switched POV from character to character keeping us up to date with each of the separate forces as they slowly came together. Also being a fan of the theory that Jesus was married I liked the way he incorporated the "Holy Grail" into the novel.


As for the characters, Reggie is someone who grows on you. At first he seemed like a self centered rockstar. After all who else would sell their soul for fame? But as the story progresses you see he is really a pretty noble guy. He sold his soul so they could all be famous, still not a very good reason but at least its a better one. 


Angela is a strong female lead character. Having suffered her own great loss in the past she is willing to risk her own immortality to help save someone else. She also takes great risk by bringing Reggie home to meet her family/coven putting them all at great risk.


My favorite character was actually the Devil him self. I love the whole business man feel Bruce Jenvey created around him. Him bragging about the shagg carpet was just too funny. It was a nice twist to the master of all things evil.


Overall I really enjoyed this book. The end, although sad, gave you a nice warm feeling. Everyone puts their differences aside for the greater good. If only more people could do that everyday!


To find out more about the Cabbot Town Witches check out Bruce Jenvey on the web.

Free today~ Blood & Light by Rue Volley

I know I have been slacking this week, I have a few reviews just waiting to be posted but first I thought I'd mention this book which is free on Amazon right now...

Blood and Light

by Rue Volley

Vamptasy Publishing

Summary;
Enter into the world of 16 year-old Rue Volley...who, up until one fateful night, thought she was "normal" or as "normal" as she could be. 
But "normal" does not include being a vampire...a truth about herself that she will soon discover.

Rue Volley lives in the quiet little town of Calvary, Minnesota...nestled in the thick woods lining the Great Lakes. Rue, along with her 
brother Kai, have lived an otherwise calm life up until their Mother was commited into Rolling River Asylum, after she mysteriously stopped
speaking to anyone. Rue is convinced by her brother to attend a party on her birthday, and after she experiences something that she cannot
explain, she and everyone in her world is thrown into madness. Join Rue on this epic journey, 6 books in all, as she struggles with grief, 
love, humor, old crushes, newfound infatuations, hot boys, AND vampires, lots and lots of them.

This first book in the series starts you on a journey that you will find hard to ignore and once you start reading you will be hooked...or 
perhaps bitten.




Hope you decide to check it out! You can also find out what going on at Vamptasy by checking out their facebook group. Vamptasy hosts writing contests, group reads and ect...

Arrival of the Prophecy ~ Robin Renee Ray

Arrival of the Prophecy by Robin Renee Ray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As you can tell from my rating I did enjoy this book. I am always looking for a good shifter story and this one certainly qualifies.


Summary:
Anthony Michelle had no idea that he would find the other half of his werewolf soul in the body of a woman who was afraid of her own shadow, not the qualities a King searched for when looking for his Queen. Then again, there was only one woman in the world that would not fall to the allure of the Wolf King, she just so happen to come in the form of a small, delicate, human female. 

Sky Lashay Delaney also had no clue that she carried something that would change her life in more ways than she could even contemplate. Her bashful demeanor would soon be put to the test and everything that she knew to be normal would be placed on the shelf of complete disbelief. On a chance meeting outside The Blue Howler, a club owned by a member of the werewolf clan, the two unknowingly find their very unconventional destiny.


My Take:


 I found the "bad" guys in the story quite interesting since I have not read about any shifters yet who weren't either wolf/dog or some kind of cat. I won't ruin the surprise but you will be surprised, I promise you.


As for the characters, it is interesting to watch Sky develop from a shy and scared woman to one who is strong and confident. Anthony is a strong and caring guy who is easy to fall for. Even the minor characters are interesting and enjoyable. 


The only thing that kept me from given this 5 stars was in the very beginning. I think Anthony's handling of Sky in the beginning of the novel was unforgivable to me. I know that they have some kind of connection but if some guy chained be us and turned me into a werewolf against my will I would be hard pressed to forgive him right away. Other than that I thought the novel was great. Add this one to your TBR list :)

Taste by Kate Evangelista

Taste by Kate Evangelista
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I was excited to start reading Taste as soon as I received it. Ever since the cover reveal a few months ago I have had it on my TBR list. After all I enjoy YA novels and am always looking for something different. You can only read the same old vampire story so many times! Oh and as an added bonus I will be giving away one e-copy of Taste! Just comment below with your first name and email addy, I will be picking a winner at random next Thursday :)




Summary: 
At Barinkoff Academy, there's only one rule: no students on campus after curfew. Phoenix McKay soon finds out why when she is left behind at sunset. A group calling themselves night students threaten to taste her flesh until she is saved by a mysterious, alluring boy. With his pale skin, dark eyes, and mesmerizing voice, Demitri is both irresistible and impenetrable. He warns her to stay away from his dangerous world of flesh eaters. Unfortunately, the gorgeous and playful Luka has other plans.

When Phoenix is caught between her physical and her emotional attraction, she becomes the keeper of a deadly secret that will rock the foundations of an ancient civilization living beneath Barinkoff Academy. Phoenix doesn’t realize until it is too late that the closer she gets to both Demitri and Luka the more she is plunging them all into a centuries old feud.

My Take:


Taste was exactly what I was hoping it would be. Kate Evangelista has managed to create a YA world unlike any others I have read before. Her Zhamvy species is a mix of Immortal (almost) and Zombies (eating flesh not brains) There are no mindless characters in this book. There is also an interesting dose of politics in the story line as different factions of the Zhamvy world fight against one another for control of the kingdom.


The story line focuses on three main characters Phoenix, Demitri, and Luca. Demitri is the strong silent type. Worried about keeping his people safe but also pulled towards his own desires to be free and explore the world. Luca appears to be a carefree x-prince but hides he own desire to rule his people. Now Phoenix is her own worst enemy. She is still struggling after her mothers death and seems to have made it a point to have no true friends at her school. Even her roommate who she probably spends the most time with is not really a friend.


In some ways curiosity almost kills the cat and Phoenix manages to get herself into one troubling situation after another. By the end you do admire her for giving all of herself to try to save someone else's race.


Overall I thought this was a fun read. I flew through the second half of the book in one sitting, not being able to put it down. Especially for YA I'd have to say its the sign of a good book when you stay up way too late to finish it!


Now don't forget to leave your name and email address as a comment below so you can get a chance at a free e-book copy of Taste!!!