Release Week Blitz+Excrept+Giveaway: "The Darkest Torment" (Lords of the Underworld #12) by Gena Showalter

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The Queen of Paranormal Romance, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Gena Showalter, returns with THE DARKEST TORMENT, the eagerly anticipated twelfth novel in her Lords of the Underworld series, available now! Grab your copy today!

   
TheDarkestTorment - cover

Get your copy of THE DARKEST TORMENT here!

Amazon * Kindle * Barnes & Noble * Nook * Book Depository * GooglePlay *iBooks* BAM * Kobo * IndieBound

THE DARKEST TORMENT Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter returns with her most explosive Lords of the Underworld tale to date, about a fierce warrior on the brink of sanity who will stop at nothing to claim the exquisite human with the power to soothe the beast inside him…

Driven to his death by the demon of Distrust, Baden spent centuries in purgatory. Now he’s back, but at what cost? Bound to the king of the underworld, an even darker force, he’s unable to withstand the touch of another…and he’s quickly devolving into a heartless assassin with an uncontrollable temper. Things only get worse when a mission goes awry and he finds himself saddled with a bride—just not his own.

Famed dog trainer Katarina Joelle is forced to marry a monster to protect her loved ones. When she’s taken hostage by the ruthless, beautiful Baden immediately after the ceremony, she’s plunged into a war between two evils—with a protector more dangerous than the monsters he hunts. They are meant to be enemies, but neither can resist the passion burning between them…and all too soon the biggest threat is to her heart.

But as Baden slips deeper into the abyss, she’ll have to teach him to love…or lose him forever.

                                       TheDarkestTorment - Available Now - teaser 2    

Add it to your Goodreads Now!

EXCREPT

Katarina wasn’t afraid of Baden. Not anymore.
He took a step to the side, intending to move around her. Oh, no. She flattened her hands on his shoulders, keeping him in place.
“I want to know what’s wrong with you.” She said. “Tell me.”
He snapped his teeth at her in a show of dominance. “You think you want to know my problem. You’re wrong.”
Her tone dry, she said, “I’m so glad you know my mind better than I do.”
“Very well. I need sex.” He threw the words at her as if they were weapons. “Badly.”
Whoa. Blindside!
Heart pounding, she jerked her hands away from him. “Sex...from me?”
“Yesss.” A hiss. “Only from you.”
Only. Amazing how one little word could send pleasure soaring through her, warming her. “You told me never to touch you.” Which she’d just done, she realized. My bad.
“I’ve changed my mind.” His gaze dropped, lingered on her lips.
Burning her... “But you and I...we’re a different species.” As if that mattered to her body. Gimme!
He took a step closer, invading her personal space.  “We’ll fit, I promise you.”
Tristo hrmenych! The raspy quality of his voice, all smoke and gravel...she shivered with longing. Must resist his allure.
But...but...why? Before she’d committed to Peter, she’d dated around, had made out in movie theaters, cars and on couches. She’d liked kissing and touching and “riding the belt buckle,” as her friends had called it. Then, after committing to Peter, she’d gifted him with her virginity. At first, he hadn’t known what to do with her—he’d been just as inexperienced—and she’d left each encounter disappointed. When finally she’d gathered the courage to tell him what she wanted, he’d satisfied her well.
She missed sex. But connection...intimacy...she thought she missed those more.
The dogs barked, jolting her from her thoughts. They’d cleaned their food bowls, and now wanted to play. She clasped Baden’s hand to lead him out of the kennel. He jerked away, severing contact.
One action. Tons of hurt.
“I’m allowed to touch you and you want to have sex with me, but you’re still disgusted by me.” She stomped outside the kennel, done with him. “Well, I’m leaving. Good riddance! Your do-what-I-say-or-else attitude was annoying, anyway.”
He darted in front of her, stopping her. Breath caught in her throat as sunlight streamed over him, paying his chiseled features absolute tribute, making his bronzed skin glimmer.
So beautiful. Too beautiful.
“I’m not disgusted by you. You need me. I’ve come to accept it,” he admitted, looking away from her. “But being skin-to-skin with another is painful for me. We’ll have to proceed carefully. And you’ll get over your annoyance.”
Another order!  She would show him the error of his ways.

  

    Lords of the Underworld Series banner

And don’t miss the previous titles in the Lords of the Underworld Series!

THE DARKEST NIGHT

THE DARKEST KISS

THE DARKEST PLEASURE

THE DARKEST WHISPER

THE DARKEST PASSION

THE DARKEST LIE

THE DARKEST SECRET

THE DARKEST SURRENDER

THE DARKEST SEDUCTION

THE DARKEST CRAVING

THE DARKEST TOUCH

                                    TheDarkestTorment - Available Now





Author pic- Gena Showalter   About Gena Showalter: Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the spellbinding Lords of the Underworld and Angels of the Dark series, two young adult series–Everlife and the White Rabbit Chronicles–and the highly addictive Original Heartbreakers series. In addition to being a National Reader’s Choice and two time RITA nominee, her romance novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan (Red Hot Read) and Seventeen magazine, she’s appeared on Nightline and been mentioned in Orange is the New Black–if you ask her about it, she’ll talk for hours…hours! Her books have been translated in multiple languages. She’s hard at work on her next novel, a tale featuring an alpha male with a dark side and the strong woman who brings him to his knees. You can learn more about Gena, her menagerie of rescue dogs, and all her upcoming books at genashowalter.com or Facebook.com/genashowalterfan  

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

 

 


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Review: "The Winner's Kiss" (The Winner's Trilogy #3) by Marie Rutkoski



The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads

Some kisses come at a price.

War has begun. Arin is in the thick of it with untrustworthy new allies and the empire as his enemy. Though he has convinced himself that he no longer loves Kestrel, Arin hasn’t forgotten her, or how she became exactly the kind of person he has always despised. She cared more for the empire than she did for the lives of innocent people—and certainly more than she did for him.

At least, that’s what he thinks.

In the frozen north, Kestrel is a prisoner in a brutal work camp. As she searches desperately for a way to escape, she wishes Arin could know what she sacrificed for him. She wishes she could make the empire pay for what they’ve done to her.

But no one gets what they want just by wishing.

As the war intensifies, both Kestrel and Arin discover that the world is changing. The East is pitted against the West, and they are caught in between. With so much to lose, can anybody really win?


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 And don't miss the rest books of this amazing series! (with the old covers of course) Click the covers for details.






REVIEW

Before I began reading the final book of the trilogy I really had my objections concerning the new covers for the series. Yes, I love the old ones. I mean how can you not love the dresses and the cover model?

I really didn't want this book to end! After reading "The Raven King" I finally understood that 2016 is the year of concluding series. "The Winner's Kiss" was everything I expected; angst, suspicion, redemption, love and war. Kestrel and Arin became one of the best pairs in YA and I am pretty sure you will be more than willing to re-read the books.



The story begins with Kestrel in the road to the mines after the events of "The Winner's Curse" and Arin still deep into the deception of Kestrel's words. Even from the first chapters it was agonizing to know what had really happened and how Arin lost so much time wondering about Kestrel and her words. War is looming over the continent and the Emperor is determined to destroy both the Henari and Roshar's queenship over the other parts of their world.

I both loved and worried over some parts in the story. While the writing was epic and crafted down to every emotional detail, I was actually afraid for the lives of all the main characters. Roshar's character was a welcome distraction with his sarcasm and witty humor. I would totally read a novella dedicated to him.


The ending was very, very satisfying with a touch of bittersweet in it, especially between Kestrel and her father. I will anxiously wait for anything new written by Marie Rutkoski and hope that she will always deliver flawlessly written characters, even when they do have flaws!






About the author:

Marie Rutkoski is the author of the YA novel The Shadow Society and the children's fantasy series The Kronos Chronicles, including The Cabinet of Wonders, The Celestial Globe and The Jewel of the Kalderash. Her next project is a YA trilogy that begins with The Winner's Curse, which is scheduled to be published in March 2014.

Marie grew up in Bolingbrook, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago), as the oldest of four children. She holds a BA from the University of Iowa and a PhD from Harvard University. Marie is currently a professor at Brooklyn College, where she teaches Renaissance Drama, children's literature and fiction writing. She lives in New York City with her husband and two sons.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/marier...



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Going MIA



Hello everyone! Due to family reasons I must leave the city for a few days, so I won't be able to post anything from Friday to Sunday. Thus, there'll be no post for the weekly meme "Feature & Follow Friday" nor anything I'd sceduled so far.

I'll see you on Monday and I hope you'll have a great weekend!


Review: "A Court Of Mist And Fury" (A Court of Thorns And Roses #2) by Sarah J. Maas. Where Fangirling, Fanart and GIFs reign!


A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas's masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.



BUY ON AMAZON | BOOK DEPOSITORY 


REVIEW

I really needed some time to get my bearings before writing a review for this masterpiece. From what I guessed even from the first chapters was the fact that I MUST stop shipping couples in ANY book by Sarah J. Maas.



And that is the only warning I'll give you.
Taking a deep breath.
Here we go.

Feyre, Tamlin and the rest of the Spring Court have finally returned back to their lands after the defeat of Amarantha. You may think that this is the desired "Happily ever After" for Tamlin and Feyre but everything just crumbles in the beginning of the story.

First of all, Feyre suffers from PTSD; and that would be a very logical result since she suffered in Amarantha's court Under the Mountain, died and came back again. She has nightmares, she vomits every night and doesn't eat.



And what Tamlin does? Nothing.
What Lucien does to help the situation? NOTHING!

At the same time, everyone in the Night Court are preparing for the wedding of the centuries between Feyre and Tamlin. Ianthe, the High Priestess of the Fae waltzes straight into Feyre and practically enforces her opinion. That b*ch reeked of treachery from the beginning (excuse my language, it's pent up emotion). Feyre just wants to get out from the mansion, enjoy her new life and discover her powers.

And what Tamlin does again? He enforces guards and doesn't let her get out easily.

Another part that worries Feyre is her deal with Rhys, High Lord of Night Court, where she has to spend a week each month in his court. And before everything colapses Rhys arrives a very funny way, maybe even at the right moment and takes Feyre into the Night Court.



From there we are introduced into a different enviroment, with new characters, landscapes, customs and secrets. Rhys is one hell of a emotional character; even if he is a Master on hiding it. In contrast with Tamlin, he feeds Feyre, teaches her to write and read even helps her when she pukes her guts out because of the nightmares.

And let's be honest people. You don't need super hearing to understand that a person close to you is sick. You would do that for anyone.



When a horrible incident back in the Spring Court leads Feyre to live into the Night Court, that's the turning point in our story. I loved everything; from the descriptions of the Court to its members; Amren, Mor, Azriel and Cassian. There was lots of angst between the last three, so I'll let you discover it by yourselves. There's mystery and magic and stars, even a short trip to the Summer Court, which I would love to live into.



I love the sea so much!
And the way the stars are shown in this book! It hit me straight to my heart the way Starfall was shown!

And everything that happened in the final chapters of the book was so emotional I teared up. Rhys is the epitome of tortured character. Not in a cheesy way that mkes you roll your eyes, but in an emotional level which would make any person depressed. If you remember the first book, Rhys was Amarantha's toy and did anything for her. He can feel what Feyre feels in terms of depression and PTSD symptoms, not to metnion everything that happens to them in this book.

The ending was gutting, amazing with an edge of cliffhanger all wrapped up in a nice gift. I don't want to envision what will happen to possible ships or who will live/die so I'll just stay in my little corner of my mind and plot ways first to kill Tamlin, then to destroy Ianthe in every possible way.



Duh, of course it's recommended!! ;)




And can also feast on these lovely pics made by PhantomRin, an artist who specializes on creating amazing fanart based on the books she reads! As for ACOMAF, she still creates new art almost every day so make sure to follow her on Tumblr and get notifications every time she posts!



                                                   Feyre in Night Court fashion





                                                           Rhys (drools over)


                                                                Mor



                                               Amren (one hell of a scary lady!)



                                                            Cassian (that smirk!)


About the author:

Sarah J. Maas is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Throne of Glass series (Queen of Shadows, Book 4, will be out in September 2015), as well as the A Court of Thorns and Roses series (out 5/5/15).

Sarah lives in Bucks County, PA, and over the years, she has developed an unhealthy appreciation for Disney movies and bad pop music. She adores fairy tales and ballet, drinks too much tea, and watches an ungodly amount of TV. When she's not busy writing, she can be found exploring the historic and beautiful Pennsylvania countryside with her husband and canine companion.





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Cover Reveal+Giveaway: #SWAG (GearShark #3) by Cambria Hebert






Welcome to the cover reveal for the third book of Cambria Hebert's series GearShark! I couldn't be more excited for the new couple and the adrenaline coming off those two characters!
 

#Swag
Cambria Hebert
(GearShark, #3)
Publication date: June 10th 2016
Genres: Contemporary Sports Romance

These drivers got #swag…
Racing is in her DNA.
Right alongside money and power.
When you’re the daughter of one of the most powerful men in the country,
you have to work harder for success.
Joey Gamble’s a girl on a male-dominated track.
With a daddy who can buy whatever she wants.
But she doesn’t want anything… except to EARN her reputation.

Racing is his passion.
Trouble follows him everywhere. Some even say he invites it.
When you’re nipping at the taillights of the best driver in the new NRR,
you have to fight and claw for each and every success.
It’s never been easy for Lorhaven.
That’s why he doesn’t play by the rules.
He’s a man with a serious chip on his shoulder against the pro racing circuit.
We at GearShark want to know what’s up with that.
We’ve also been hearing rumblings…
of a pro who wants to go indie.
We’ve invited racing royalty and the driver from the wrong side of the tracks to sit down and talk to us about a possible crossover.
We expected sparks to fly when Joey and Lorhaven crossed paths.
Will those sparks ignite into a full-on inferno?


Previous books in the series:

27824473 28802913


swagteaser7 



Author Bio:

Cambria Hebert is an award winning, bestselling novelist of more than twenty books. She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair.
Besides writing, Cambria loves a caramel latte, staying up late, sleeping in, and watching movies. She considers math human torture and has an irrational fear of chickens (yes, chickens). You can often find her running on the treadmill (she’d rather be eating a donut), painting her toenails (because she bites her fingernails), or walking her chorkie (the real boss of the house).
Cambria has written within the young adult and new adult genres, penning many paranormal and contemporary titles. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense. A few of her most recognized titles are: The Hashtag Series, Text, Torch, and Tattoo.
Cambria Hebert owns and operates Cambria Hebert Books, LLC.



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Feature & Follow #14 + Twitter Giveaway



The Feature & Follow is back with a few changes. 



The Feature & Follow is back after a two-month hiatus! I know you missed it. I've missed it too! But we wanted to make it bigger and better - and I hope we have accomplished that.


THE CHANGES:

  • Weekly Features will be chosen from LIKES on the linkylist and not as random.
  • Bloggers and Authors will get to have ONE spot a quarter (90 days) as the feature. But, you can still participate.
  • The reason we are switching to this method is because we had issues with contacting people. This way we just choose them.
  • We have also switched to THUMBNAIL link list – use a graphic that you want us to use when we showcase you as the feature.
  • Weekly questions have been changed to Post Prompts. Very similar just a little more open ended.
  • We are asking for ideas submitted by participants.
  • We will have the post schedule available so you can schedule in advance.

HOW DOES THE #FF WORK?

  • The goal is to increase blog followers, make friends and have something to post.
  • You create your own post using the post prompt.
  • You leave your link and thumbnail in the linky list that links back to your post prompt.
  • Once you have your post up and linked, visit other posts and tell them hi. The point is to FOLLOW them not just comment.
  • If you see a post that just hit it to the moon, or just want to show appreciation to a fellow blogger friend, like their name on the linky list to show some appreciation.
  • The person with the most likes gets chosen as the next Feature (you can be chosen every 90 days unless we are in need of features)
  • It is required that if you participate that you have to follow the FEATURE. It is a big no-no to participate and ignore the feature. They are the special snowflake in this little blizzard.
  • As a participant it is up to your discretion on how you want people to follow. Please post RSS, GFC etc if you have a follow of choice.
Specific RULES
  • Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
  • Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
  • If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followedFollow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
  • Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
  • If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
THE weekly feature:



THE POST prompt:

  • Ten Reasons You Love Your Fave Genre

My answer



In the last six years, since I've began fully reading fiction in English, I have come to love many different genres. Though I began as a Paranormal fan (at that time it was the reign of Twilight), lately I came to adore two genres in particular as also their sub-genres.


FANTASY

1) There are infinite worlds in this genre. You never get bored.



2) Some of my most fav authors write in Fantasy like Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, Susan Dennard and Jodi Meadows.



3) Being a teenager/ young adult in a fantasy world surely is not a simple way to live!



4) The romance can be epic in the Fantasy genre.



5) I love sword-fighting!





SCIENCE FICTION

1) Time travel. Sub-genre but still it makes my historian gene to dance.



2) Three authors: Jay Kristoff, Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. Their books have been so far in the limelight of my blogging world for the past four years.












3) Space. Anything that has to do with space travel, aliens and their lot is also a great time to spend reading! Daemon from LUX series, Amy and Elder from "Across the Universe" series are fine examples.



4) I researched astrology for one of my novels which I hope to see the light, and eyes of the readers. Anything with stars and constellations amazes me.



5)Should I add Doctor Who here? Along with the romance in sci-fi?








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Review: The Raven King (The Raven Cycle #4) by Maggie Stiefvater


The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads

The fourth and final installment in the spellbinding series from the irrepressible, #1 New York Times bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater.

All her life, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love's death. She doesn't believe in true love and never thought this would be a problem, but as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she's not so sure anymore.

In a starred review for Blue Lily, Lily Blue, Kirkus Reviews declared: "Expect this truly one-of-a-kind series to come to a thundering close."



 BUY ON AMAZON | BOOK DEPOSITORY


DON'T MISS THE REST BOOKS OF THE SERIES





REVIEW

 I don't know how to write this review. Honestly, I have almost ten books I need to review yet I insisted on writing this one. What should I comment first? Maggie's poetic writing which I have also met in Laini Taylor's books? Or the fact that this book was a rollercoaster of emotions, friendships and horrors?



Following the events of "Blue Lily, Lily Blue", the boys and Blue must band together once more in order to find the King and solve the mystery behind Gabeswater. But something sinister is also at the same time destoying the magical forest and many become affected by it.



The plot moves between all the heroes and villains of the story; Gansey and Blue, the ladies of Blue's family, the Gray Man as also Ronan and Adam. The scenes in some parts are dark and terryfying and there were moments where I teared up from what happened to some of the main characters, as also what feelings some other characters discovered.



It was almost real, how easily Maggie brought these characters to life with all their hopes and flaws, dreams and terrors. Ronan's comments were stellar and the relevations about Blue seemed as if they had jumped out of a dream.

I'll miss those characters, but they have gained a special place in my heart and fangirling mind, just like all the others. ;)






About the author:

New York Times bestselling author of The Shiver Trilogy, The Raven Cycle, and The Scorpio Races. Artist. Driver of things with wheels. Avid reader.

All of Maggie Stiefvater's life decisions have been based around her inability to be gainfully employed. Talking to yourself, staring into space, and coming to work in your pajamas are frowned upon when you're a waitress, calligraphy instructor, or technical editor (all of which she's tried), but are highly prized traits in novelists and artists. She's made her living as one or the other since she was 22. She now lives an eccentric life in the middle of nowhere, Virginia with her charmingly straight-laced husband, two kids, two neurotic dogs, and a 1973 Camaro named Loki.



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