Blud and Magick Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blud and Magick Blog Tour!

264 pages
Published January 8, 2013

Born from the ashes of the most fierce and powerful entity in all of Trivaesia, Darla was sent to grow up in the outside world with no knowledge of where she came from. When she finds herself wielding new power, she must decide which part of her will rule her heart—the evil from which she was born or the good by which she was raised.

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This book gave me a bit of a pause. The writing was interesting, the story kept moving, it was a quick, easy read. But it was a bit strange.

Every type of supernatural being you can imagine made an appearance -- which worked, but I know a number of people who would be annoyed by this. So, if you're the kind of person who feels it's best to choose two or three of these creatures to focus on, this book may not be fore you. (Then again, this book may just open your horizons a bit.)

I liked Darla, I thought she was a great character. Usually, I get grouchy when I read books where the MC has a lot of dreams that we're forced to "see". (Really, dreams are WAY overdone.) There are dreams in this book -- nightmares, to be more exact -- but it's done in a way that really works.

If you like YA stories dealing with supernaturals, this book was written with you in mind.

4/5 stars

An Unexpected Angel

An Unexpected Angel

by Janet Halling

Paperback, 115 pages
Published October 9th 2012 by Sweetwater Books

This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.


Ella Davies hates Christmas. Every year she spends the holidays working, trying to forget the pain of a childhood tragedy that left her all alone. But this season, Ella's about to learn something only an angel could teach her. This modern twist on a Christmas classic will remind you that the best gifts of all are the loved ones you learn to treasure!

***

I really enjoyed this wonderful holiday story!  While reminiscent of Dicken's A Christmas Carol, it's original and modern.  Ella's story is a reminder to remember priorities and what's really important to each of us.  I loved the variety of the characters and how they interacted with Ella.  She learned more about herself while reaching out to those around her and found healing through service.  A charming story!  I want to read this one again!

4/5 stars 

Winners of Chase Tinker and the House of Magic Giveaway

We're excited to announce the winners of our giveaway!  

We have two fabulous prizes!  The winner of the first prize is Bernadette.  You have won an eBook of Chase Tinker and the House of Magic AND a $15 Amazon gift card!  Wow!  The second prize winner is Patty.  You've won an eBook and a bookmark signed by the author.  We're so excited for you!  We know you'll love it!  Our giveaway is courtesy of the author.  The winners have been notified by email.  Thank you!  

Enjoy the book!

Fractured Soul Blog Tour

Welcome to the Fractured Soul Blog Tour!!!

Fractured Soul (Fractured Light, #2)
by Rachel McClellan

336 pages
Published February 12, 2013

Llona will do whatever it takes to protect her new found friends and home, but the dark plot that is threatening Lucent Academy, a school that’s supposed to be a safe place for Auras, may be too powerful for even Llona to defeat. This fast-paced tale of love, loyalty, and overcoming the darkness will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page!

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There were a number of things about this book that I enjoyed. One of them happens to be a new character . . . Liam. Now, I'm not really into spoilers, so I won't say what I'm thinking with this whole thing. Sorry.

I enjoyed the way McClellan hinted at things in a way that makes the reader curious, but unless they're really paying attention, they might not even realize how she's spurring them on through the story.

A big, important thing that probably should have really upset me didn't bug me at all, because it left things open for something else I could see eventually happening. Cryptic enough for you? 

Of course, with this being the second book, you'll understand things better if you've read the first book. (It's worth your time.)

I'm excited to see where we go from here!

4/5 stars

About the Author

Rachel McClellan was born and raised in Idaho, a place secretly known for its supernatural creatures. When she's not in her writing lair, she's partying with her husband and four crazy, yet lovable, children. Rachel's love for storytelling began as a child when the moon first possessed the night. For when the lights went out, her imagination painted a whole new world. And what a scary world it was...

Giveaway and Author Interview with Malia Ann Haberman

We're excited today to have Malia Ann Haberman, author of Chase Tinker and the House of Magic stopping by with an interview. To see our review of Chase Tinker, click here.

Without further ado, here are Ms. Haberman's answers to the questions we were had for her!

1. Tweet us something about your book.

@Readers Like magic, fun, adventure, mystery & excitement mixed w/awesome characters? Then you #mustread Chase Tinker & the House of Magic.

2. If you won millions of dollars in the lottery, would you still write books?

If by some stroke of incredible luck I did win the lottery, I would definitely still write books because it's something I love doing. Plus, knowing that people are reading and liking my books makes me all warm and smiley. :)

3. What do you think about romance being so common in YA, 'Tween and even Middle Grade books these days?

I think a lot of kids under the age of twelve are mostly interested in the fun and adventure going on in a book so romance kind of takes a back seat to the more exciting stuff, though, even if they won't admit it, they still notice and crush on each other.

As kids get older that certain attraction to another person or persons gets stronger. So even if romance isn't the main part of the plot, I believe it still adds enjoyment and spark to a storyline and the characters because I think most people like a good love story, even if it's not the main focus. Plus, it's not just in books. You also see it in television programs and movies. Many times it's those will-they-or-won't-they-get-together moments that keep people coming back for more. I think it makes writing a lot more fun and interesting.

                        

4. What's the craziest writing idea you've ever had?

Ha! At one time I had a book going about my crazy dating life, but after working on it for a bit, I realized it was depressing me, so that got deleted.

5. Are you someone who plots everything out or are you a flying-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer?

When I first started "Chase Tinker and the House of Magic," I had ideas, but no clear outline to follow. I would just let things come to me as I wrote. But then, my then-agent, wanted me to outline the rest of the series. I thought, What?! Write everything down? Now that's just crazy talk! But I put on my thinking cap and got to work, and it's a good thing I did or I would've forgotten and missed out on loads of great ideas. So now, I guess you can say I'm a bit of both.

6. If you were a super hero what would your kryptonite be?

Definitely my two daughters. You just don't mess with a mom's kids.

7. Which of your characters do you relate to the most?

I think that would be Chase. He's impatient like me; hates onions and sucks at math, but he'll stick up for himself when he really has to. Also, no matter what plan of action he takes, things have a way of blowing up in his face. That seems to happen to me way too often too. A happily ever after would really be nice at some point. :)

8. If you could invite any 5 authors (dead or alive) to dinner who would you choose?

J.K. Rowling, Suzanne Collins, Neil Gaiman, Rick Riordan, and Ernest Hemingway.

9. Favorite Harry Potter quote.

The one I remember the most is at the end of "The Sorcerer's Stone" where Dumbledore is talking to Harry about Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. All Dumbledore wants is a nice toffee after once eating a vomit-flavored bean in his youth, but when he pops one into his mouth, he chokes and says, "Alas! Ear wax!" That always cracks me up. :)

10. Any teasers for book 2, "Chase Tinker and the House of Secrets"?

Shh, don't tell anyone, but a new, exciting and quite unexpected character joins the cast, and a stunning revelation knocks the pants off everyone.

Here's the Giveaway

We have two fabulous prizes!  The first prize is an eBook of Chase Tinker and the House of Magic AND a $15 Amazon gift card!  Wow!  The second prize is the eBook and a bookmark signed by the author.  We're so excited to giveaway copies of Chase Tinker and the House of Magic!  We know you'll love it!  Our giveaway is courtesy of the author.  Thank you!  

To enter, send an email to thecrookedword@gmail.com with the subject line "Chase Tinker" by midnight, Feb. 13.  The winner will be notified on Valentine's Day.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Author of "Chase Tinker and the House of Magic (The Chase Tinker Series, Book 1)," Malia loves dancing, reading, writing, sunsets, ladybugs, playing video games on her iPod, watching TV, and chocolate. She also has terrible motion sickness and hates onions. She's always wanted to have the ability to teleport and the power to move things with her mind. She lives in the Seattle area with her four wild and crazy ferrets.

Website: http://maliaannhaberman.weebly.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mahaberman

Twitter: https://twitter.com/malia_ann

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Chase-Tinker-House-Magic-ebook/dp/B008XOY6AU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345146724&sr=8-1&keywords=Chase+Tinker+and+the+House+of+Magic

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15838908-chase-tinker-and-the-house-of-magic

Chase Tinker and the House of Magic

Chase Tinker and the House of Magic (The Chase Tinker Series, Book 1)

by Malia Ann Haberman 

ebook

Published August 15th 2012 by Crossroad Press

This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

In Chase Tinker's world, magic, lies and secrets can be a lethal combination...


Thirteen-year-old Chase Tinker can't understand why he has the power to move things with his mind. Besides that, his dad has been missing for over a year, causing his mom to be too upset to pay much attention to her sons, so now he's been busted for shoplifting. As if this isn't enough to worry about, his younger brother Andy suddenly has the ability to stop time. Can things get any crazier? Chase thinks.

Then, a grandfather they thought to be long dead arrives at their door. He wants Chase and Andy to come visit him for the summer so they can learn about their supernatural heritage and why they have magical powers in the first place.

The boys soon find out that Grandfather, along with their cousin Janie, lives on a remote island in the middle of Puget Sound in an out-or-this-world house where fantastic magic can be found in practically every room, stairway and corridor. Chase can't believe their dad has been keeping so much from them.

It's an even bigger shock when Chase learns that all their magic is controlled by a very powerful and mysterious Relic in the attic, and if anything happens to this relic, every bit of Tinker magic will be lost forever. He's even ore disturbed when he learns his family has a dark and powerful enemy that is determined to steal all their magic, their house and their relic.

Now Chase must find a way to stop these evil beings, while at the same time figuring out what has happened to his dad, unraveling even more Tinker lies and secrets and not letting on that he has a huge crush on the housekeeper's daughter.

***

I need more!  What an exciting, magical adventure!  Chase Tinker and the House of Magic is a fun book with creative surprises that kept me hooked to the end.  The character interactions and personalities really drew me in.  I like how the characters have reactions and opinions all their own.  They definitely act their age, which makes it fun for kids of all ages.  The setting is magical and fun.   The author's descriptions paint such vivid pictures-  just by reading you can step into the world of the Tinkers.  I love their magical house with the unusual powers of the various rooms and individuals.  I want to move in too!  Malia Ann Haberman  is such a clever author!  I can't wait for more!  

5/5 stars

Check back tomorrow for an interview with author Malia Ann Haberman along with a giveaway!

Shadowbinders

Shadowbinders, Book 1
by Kambrea Pratt, Thomas Pratt (Illustrator)

168 pages
Published October 31, 2012

Mia White was an ordinary high school girl with ordinary high school problems. That all changed the day she was given her grandfather’s mysterious journal and an even more mysterious antique ring -- one that transports her to another world!

Now this ordinary girl finds herself in an extraordinary realm filled with airships, flying serpents and clockwork cities! But her biggest challenge may come in the form of handsome, aloof (and downright infuriating) mage Crimson Rhen... Shadowbinders Book One collects the first six chapters of the popular YA web comic into a graphic novel format.

Set sail for steampunk, fantasy... and romantic comedy!

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It's been a while since I've read a graphic novel, so this was really fun.

While the idea (girl gets magical object, finds herself transported to a different world, etc., etc., etc.) isn't original, it's done well.

Two complaints. The first one is that the 6th chapter is really all about back story. I didn't feel like much happened there. The other is about Mia. She's kinda ditzy, and a flake, and she just bugged me.

3/5 stars