Breath of Fire (Kingmaker Chronicles #2) by Amanda Bouchet

* * * * *

SHE'S DESTINED TO DESTROY THE WORLD... 

"Cat" Catalia Fisa has been running from her destiny since she could crawl. But now, her newfound loved ones are caught between the shadow of Cat's tortured past and the threat of her world-shattering future. So what's a girl to do when she knows it's her fate to be the harbinger of doom? Everything in her power.

BUT NOT IF SHE CAN HELP IT

Griffin knows Cat is destined to change the world-for the better. As the realms are descending into all-out war, Cat and Griffin must embrace their fate together. Gods willing, they will emerge side-by-side in the heart of their future kingdom...or not at all.


Source: advance e-galley provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review


Considering that A Promise of Fire is my favourite book of 2016 and how successful it's been, Breath of Fire has a lot to live up to. You know how it goes: you enjoy the start of a series and eagerly await the next book. If you're lucky, it meets or even exceeds your expectations. I'm happy to share that it has exceeded anything I could have hoped for!

Bouchet has us picking up where we left off in APoF with Cat and Griffin still together, Cat resigning herself to the fact that she is needed in Sinta to assist with the "smooth" transition of power of the new royal family. Knowing how things went previously, it won't be simple. There is too much ill-will about with power-hungry, opportunistic people aiming straight for them. Did I forget anything? Oh yes, Cat's homicidal mother whose maternal instincts are non-existent. Not to mention that Cat is descended from Greek gods. Those guys are complicated enough so naturally it's far worse when they're family! They're not exactly the most stable of people, amiright? 

The main struggle in BoF is Cat coming to terms with her destiny. She's kept this shameful secret to herself not wanting anyone to know that she could potentially be their ruin and downfall. How can she share such a damaging revelation when she's barely even accepted it herself? Not even with Griffin. He does sense that she's withholding something from him but reluctantly gives her the space until she's ready. At this point, Bouchet shows us how Cat has matured in allowing intimacy and friendships in her life though her screwed up childhood continues to haunt her, especially now. She feels an immense responsibility for everyone's safety and well-being resting solely on her shoulders, and guilt for anything that goes badly. The drudged up memories of her beloved sister go a long way in explaining her mental state. If anything, this entire second book feels like a "trust fall" exercise with magical creatures involved.

All the ingredients that made APoF so brilliant are in BoF. Once things start ramping up - thanks to a quest that leads them outside of the safety of Sinta - they don't stop. Relentless battles and trials swiftly reign down on Cat and crew. There's almost no break so thank goodness for the funny moments that serve as a welcome relief from the stress and action. It's nice to see that Cat and the rest of the Beta Team don't lose their humour or wicked charm. Their unwavering bond is what holds all the pages of this story together. Speaking of charm, Cat and Griffin are as on fire as ever. I love these two as a couple because they're equals in intellect, ability and passion. After being solo for so many years, Griffin offers Cat an alternate perspective that challenges her tendency towards skepticism. And their private moments speak volumes to their connection. They are the ultimate power couple. 

I happened to see this series described on Twitter as a "romantasy" and it's a perfect description. You want an epic, breathless adventure with a beautiful love story in there? You've got it right here with Breath of Fire as your next read!

~ Bel


PSSST!! ... check out the Breath of Fire Spotlight Tour. Read an exclusive excerpt, see which one of the Beta Team Hunks is your ideal match and also enter the giveaway to win 1 of 10 copies of A Promise of Fire and a signed bookplate! (Giveaway courtesy of Sourcebooks Casablanca.)

A Promise of Fire (Kingmaker Chronicles #1) by Amanda Bouchet

* * * * *

Catalia "Cat" Fisa is a powerful clairvoyant known as the Kingmaker. This smart-mouthed soothsayer has no interest in her powers and would much rather fly under the radar, far from the clutches of her homicidal mother. But when an ambitious warlord captures her, she may not have a choice…

Griffin is intent on bringing peace to his newly conquered realm in the magic-deprived south. When he discovers Cat is the Kingmaker, he abducts her. But Cat will do everything in her power to avoid her dangerous destiny and battle her captor at every turn. Although up for the battle, Griffin would prefer for Cat to help his people willingly, and he's ready to do whatever it takes to coax her…even if that means falling in love with her.

Source: advance galley provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca

I have been blown away! Charged with a heady dose of Greek mythology, A Promise of Fire has all the action and adventure that I didn't even know I was missing. Every element from the characters to the plot to the writing worked so perfectly in unison that I declare it one of my favourite books of the year, and Amanda Bouchet a breakout star of 2016!

Cat grabbed my attention immediately as a very enjoyable protagonist whose spirited nature kept me on my toes throughout the book. Her complicated past informs her every decision. Self-preservation is a priority and her instincts have kept her alive so far. Griffin discovering her whereabouts creates a whole new set of complications. For his part, Griffin's calm demeanor and sarcasm make him the perfect foil to Cat's feistiness. He definitely forces her to up her game around him but she can't deny that he gets to her, too. Their vocal sparring and attraction adds fuel to the story though it isn't the only thing. Cat's special ability is a valuable prize for anyone who can capture her. There's always a threat against them no matter where they go making it hard not to be swept up in all the madness.

One of the things I love about the story is how wonderfully the characters are fleshed out. Cat's family history is complex (Mother Dearest has nothing on her mother) which puts anyone in contact with her at risk. Griffin's altruism is surprising considering the world they inhabit. His perspective comes off as naive when compared to Cat's cynical outlook. This is a world filled with political chicanery, warring factions, power-hungry individuals and shaky alliances. This subplot is just as intriguing as all the interpersonal relationships developing. Take for example, the romance brewing between Cat and Griffin. Their chemistry is a slow and steady build that's playful and teasing, flirty and serious, agonizing and amusing. Their intimate moments prior to their make-out sessions are so seductive; basically all the push and pull that makes romances an engaging read. Also interesting is Cat's connection with the guys in Griffin's entourage. They're fun, charming personalities but because Cat doesn't trust easily, the camaraderie and loyalty she witnesses between them is a foreign concept. 

I thought I was enjoying things as I was reading along but apparently I was wrong. With danger lurking anywhere, the story bristles with energy and anticipation. Bouchet allows the plot to unfold at a perfect pace, knowing exactly when to inject urgency or humour or tension. Her descriptions gave me a good sense of the the people and their world. I had no idea what to expect when I picked up A Promise of Fire. Yes, it has a stunning cover. Yes, it sounded like it would be a good time. What I discovered is a smart and thrilling story featuring a fearless and savvy heroine who meets an equally fearless and genuine-hearted hero. Together they hope to change their bloodthirsty world into a better one for the future. My suggestion: set aside time to lose yourself in this epic adventure! 

~ Bel

The Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout Release Day Blitz

We have been dying to bring you the Release Blitz for Jennifer L. Armentrout's THE RETURN! THE RETURN is a New Adult Paranormal Romance and is a part of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Titan Series. Seth is looking to be just as dangerously delicious as we all hoped!!

 

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Booksamillion

Excerpt: 

I was a half-blood, but I was also the Apollyon, a child of a pure and a half, a union that had been forbidden for thousands of years because an Apollyon was more powerful than any pure or half could ever hope to be.

And I always got to the traitors’ hideouts before they did, so the Sentinels were usually left with the cleanup, which I was sure absolutely thrilled them.

The first to enter was a female half-blood dressed just as I was. Her black hair was pulled back in a neat little knot at the top of her head. She was older, probably in her mid-thirties. It was pretty rare for a Sentinel to live that long. Her dark skin paled as she stopped just inside the entrance. She clenched titanium daggers in her hands like she expected something vicious to pop out from under the bloody mess.

The female Sentinel tipped her chin up, and the overhead light sliced across her broad cheekbones. She bore a jagged scar under her right eye, the skin lighter in tone. She saw me and froze.

My smile widened.

Behind her, another Sentinel rushed in, almost mowing her over. He saw me and whispered, “Seth.”

He’d said my name like I was the monster under his bed, and I sort of liked that. Then another Sentinel and another rolled in. The fifth took one look at my interior design work and keeled over. Slamming his hands on his knees, he hurled up his dinner.

Nice.

Our society existed completely unknown to the average mortal and had operated under what was known as the Breed Order for thousands of years. The Order had been dismantled, which meant halfs were no longer forced to choose between becoming Sentinels—hunting down violent creatures, protecting pures, enforcing laws, and otherwise usually dying pretty damn quickly on the job—or servants, which was a job that really wasn’t a job, but more like slavery. Since then, many pampered pures had signed on to be Sentinels, making up for the loss of the halfs who’d pretty much said “screw this shit, I’m out.”

This wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

For example, the dumbass puking all over my blood-covered floor was a pure. When he straightened, his face a greenish hue, he backed away, shaking his head. “I can’t,” he gasped out. “I can’t do this.”

Then he turned and hauled ass out the doors.
I sighed. This was why we couldn’t have nice things.

THE RETURN Synopsis: The Fates are cackling their bony asses off... It's been a year since Seth made the deal with the gods that pledged his life to them. And so far, the jobs they've given him have been violent and bloody--which is kind of all right with him. But now Apollo has something else in mind for Seth. He's got to play protector while keeping his hands and fingers off, and for someone who really has a problem with restraint, this new assignment might be the most challenging yet. Josie has no idea what this crazy hot guy's deal might be, but it's a good bet that his arrival means the new life she started after leaving home is about to be thrown into an Olympian-sized blender turned up to puree. Either Josie is going insane or a nightmare straight out of ancient myth is gunning for her. But it might be the unlikely attraction simmering between her and the golden-eyed, secret-keeping Seth that may prove to be the most dangerous thing of all. Because history has once again been flipped to repeat.

  

About Jennifer L. Armentrout: # 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.  

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Novel Goodreads ** Author Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Inspire by Cora Carmack Release Day Launch

 

We are so incredibly excited to be able to bring you the Release Day Launch for Cora Carmack's INSPIRE! INSPIRE is a New Adult Paranormal Romance novel and the first book in her new Muse Series!! Greek Mythology!! Go out and get this today because it's on sale for $2.99 until 12/20/14!!!

 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

About INSPIRE: Kalliope lives with one purpose. To inspire. As an immortal muse, she doesn’t have any other choice. It’s part of how she was made. Musicians, artists, actors—they use her to advance their art, and she uses them to survive. She moves from one artist to the next, never staying long enough to get attached. But all she wants is a different life— a normal one. She’s spent thousands of years living lie after lie, and now she’s ready for something real. Sweet, sexy, and steady, Wilder Bell feels more real than anything else in her long existence. And most importantly… he’s not an artist. He doesn’t want her for her ability. But she can’t turn off the way she influences people, not even to save a man she might love. Because in small doses, she can help make something beautiful, but her ability has just as much capacity to destroy as it does to create. The longer she stays, the more obsessed Wilder will become. It’s happened before, and it never turns out well for the mortal. Her presence may inspire genius. But it breeds madness, too. 

  

Excerpt: I can feel Wilder’s breath against my lips. More than that, I can see it. The sun has set and the temperature has dropped, and air fogs between us. There’s something about actually seeing it, like our lips are touching, we are touching, despite the distance between. And as we sway from side to side, my heart gradually begins to pick up speed. The strains of guitar music flowing out from the restaurant are nearly indecipherable over the heavy heartbeat in my ears. But Wilder must hear it. His hands are strong on my body, guiding my movements, and I’m practically clay in his palms. We dance, eyes on eyes, lips nearly on lips, and there is lightning beneath my skin each time his body brushes against mine in a new way. His touch is firm, but gentle, never pushing or pressuring, though I can tell from the dark look in his eyes that he’s just as affected as I am. The music shifts, building to a crescendo, and he spins us. My chest pushes tight against his, and I bite back a gasp. I don’t know if it’s the cold or him or some combination of both, but the tips of my breasts are painfully tight. Just the pressure of my bra is enough to rub them raw. I remember the night at his apartment, the way he’d taken his time learning my body. I think of the heat of his mouth on my skin, and the memory alone is enough to make me shiver and clench. He’s back to being business, grown-up Wilder tonight in his button down and glasses. Only now that I know him, it doesn’t seem like such a stark difference. He is neither the straight-laced man nor the tattooed bad boy. Or perhaps he’s both. Regardless of what he’s wearing, Wilder is caring and loyal and strong and so sexy that I’m having trouble remembering why I shouldn’t push him into the backseat of his SUV and crawl on top of him.

 

About Cora Carmack: Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.      

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook ** Author Goodreads ** INSPIRE Goodreads

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Inspire by Cora Carmack Cover Reveal!

Holy moly all!  I was so excited when Cora Carmack announced she was writing a NA Paranormal with Greek Mythology elements, but it didn't prepare me for how much I love this synopsis and cover!  We are thrilled to bring you the cover for Cora Carmack's INSPIRE! INSPIRE is a New Adult Paranormal Romance novel and is due to be released on December 15, 2014!

 

The cover was designed by VLC Productions.

Add INSPIRE on Goodreads

About INSPIRE: Kalliope lives with one purpose. To inspire. As an immortal muse, she doesn’t have any other choice. It’s part of how she was made. Musicians, artists, actors—they use her to advance their art, and she uses them to survive. She moves from one artist to the next, never staying long enough to get attached. But all she wants is a different life— a normal one. She’s spent thousands of years living lie after lie, and now she’s ready for something real. Sweet, sexy, and steady, Wilder Bell feels more real than anything else in her long existence. And most importantly… he’s not an artist. He doesn’t want her for her ability. But she can’t turn off the way she influences people, not even to save a man she might love. Because in small doses, she can help make something beautiful, but her ability has just as much capacity to destroy as it does to create. The longer she stays, the more obsessed Wilder will become. It’s happened before, and it never turns out well for the mortal. Her presence may inspire genius. But it breeds madness, too.    

About Cora Carmack: Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.  

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Author Goodreads

 






Go forth and pre-order!  I know I am!

~Shel

ETERNAL NIGHT Blog Tour

* * * *

There are gods among us...

Six young gods are hiding in plain sight among mortals, living secretly in cities across the world. From lavish penthouse soirees to pulsing underground clubs, for them, the party literally never ends. Until now.

On a hot June morning, the body of a beautiful girl is found floating in the rooftop pool of the Jefferson Hotel, her white-ink tattoos revealing the story of a life much longer than seems possible. Only the immortals know the truth: Nadia was the goddess of hope. Now she’s gone, and the world as they know it is ending. The Hudson River has turned blood red. Storms rage overhead. Mania is rapidly spreading across the globe.

It is up to the remaining gods—Lola, Dean, Weston, Mark, Nike and Peitha—to put aside centuries of betrayal and heartbreak, and stop the mysterious source of darkness that is taking over… before the sun sets forever.

Carina Adly MacKenzie, writer for The CW's hit series "The Originals," has penned a steamy, romantic, and ultimately redemptive story of forgotten gods, the persistence of hope, and the power of love to save us.

You see, it was the cover that grabbed me first then the fascinating blurb. Eternal Night features several gods, each in their own isolated purgatory but brought together by an unfortunate tragedy. Mind you, I'm not normally keen on stories with multiple points of view because I find them messy and I’m rather impatient about waiting for things to tie in. I didn’t face that here because Eternal Night begins with a central event – the mysterious death of one of the gods. The story then follows their individual storylines which branch off and converge intermittently.

I’ll try not to reveal too much except to say that it was nothing of what I expected.  The author takes the Greek mythology we’re familiar with and juxtaposes it against our modern world. This is no longer a society that fears all those mighty or vengeful gods. Instead, this is a new world where people worship differently and fear repercussions of a different kind. Ancient beliefs no longer apply and as a result, the old gods have been watching their powers wane through the centuries.  What can the gods do except resign themselves to their fate and try to fit in? 

I was quite taken with how very human each of the gods is – one makes jewelry, one makes music, one is in law school.  They also have very real human emotions and reactions that sometimes you forget that they're not really human. There’s definitely a nice pace between setting up each god’s viewpoint, their back story and how they've become what they are today.  Aside from weakened powers, the other common thing between them is that they’re all feeling displaced and disenchanted. They don’t necessarily long for the days when throngs of mortals worshipped them. They simply want to feel connected to something. This whole living forever thing has made them feel so isolated that they're just floundering about. It's their very human experiences that make them all the more interesting. Some have taken to finding distractions to numb their feelings or bide their time until something, anything comes along. I liked all of the gods but one in particular, Weston, is probably my favourite.  You’ll understand why when you read this.

Despite their individual and often entangled issues, they do work well together to solve the troubling mystery of their friend’s death. If anything, having something this urgent to work on as a team lifts them out of their stupor and brings them closer to each other than they have been in ages.  And that’s no exaggeration. Finding their purpose again could just be their salvation...and the world's.

If you're looking for a different spin on Greek mythology and enjoy a bit of a mystery, I definitely recommend this. If it’s any indication of how much I liked Eternal Night, I read it in one sitting!

~ Bel

Eternal Night is out August 26, 2014 and is available for pre-order now! Click on the links below to get your copy.

Amazon    B&N    iBooks

About the Author

Carina Adly MacKenzie grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, where she boldly defied the no-reading-at-the-dinner-table rule time and time again. After studying English at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Carina moved to Los Angeles to pursue a writing career. Carina was a television critic and entertainment reporter for Zap2it.com, the Los Angeles Times, and Teen Vogue, among other publications. Currently, she spends her days obsessing over vampire sibling rivalry as a writer for The CW's new drama, "The Originals." She loves coffee, Twitter, and her little dog Pacey. Eternal Night is her first novel.

What are the differences between writing a book and writing for TV?

 They’re less than I thought they’d be, honestly.  Obviously, I was much more isolated when I wrote Eternal Night – the bulk of The Originals is created in a room full of people, talking and learning and developing story together. I wrote Eternal Night on weekends, mostly alone in an empty office. However, it was still an immensely collaborative process with the Paper Lantern Lit editors – just a less social process, since they’re based in NYC and I live in LA. But really, it all comes down to working hard so that you don’t let people down. In both writing Eternal Night and episodes of The Originals, there was this anxious hope that I wouldn’t let people down – people who believed in me enough to hire me, fans of the show, people who took a risk and decided to pick up a copy of the book.

 Connect with Carina

Twitter    Facebook     Website    Blog     Paper Lantern Lit

Chaos of the Stars by Kiersten White

****

From HarperTeen:

Isadora's family is seriously screwed up.  

Of course, when you're the human daughter of Egyptian gods, that comes with the territory.

Isadora's sick of living a life where she's only worthy of a passing glance, and when she's offered the chance to move thousands of miles away, she jumps on it.  But as much as Isadora tries to keep her new world and old world apart, she quickly realizes there's no such thing as a clean break when it comes to family.

Chaos is filled to the brim with Kiersten White's trademark witty, snarky and fun characters.  Isadora, Ry, Tyler and the supporting cast are people you want to hang out with.  They are full of smack talk, sarcasm and foot-in-mouth syndrome.  Having spent her life secluded with only her family around, Isadora is desperate to get out from under her mother's thumb, so when her mother sees trouble, Isadora goes to stay with her brother in San Diego, where she gets herself a group of friends, the interest of a mysterious hot boy and an unidentified evil bent on destruction.

Isadora is bitter.  As a devout disbeliever in love and relationships, Isadora tries to keep her distance from everyone, and rebels by doing her best to disavow her heritage, but is drawn into a plot to destroy her family.  Can she learn to let people in and save her family?

I loved Paranormalcy, so it was with great trepidation I picked up Chaos.  I was delighted to enjoy it so much.  It's fast-paced, fun and a great way to spend an afternoon!  

Check out Kiersten's blog for more information and goofy good times!

http://kierstenwrites.blogspot.com

~Shel

Sweet Shadows by Tera Lynn Childs

*** 1/2

From Tera Lynn Childs:

Gretchen may have known she was a descendant of Medusa long before her sisters—after all, she’s spent her life fighting the monsters that escape the abyss—but that doesn’t mean it will be easy to teach the other girls the ropes. Can she rely on Grace and Greer, or even trust herself to keep them safe?

Greer has pressing social commitments on her plate and precious little time to train in her newfound powers. But that wretched second sight won’t leave her alone, and her fabled heritage seems to be creeping into her fashionable life.

Grace has worries closer to home—like why her brother, Thane, has disappeared. He’s hiding something. Could it possibly be related to the secret heritage the triplets share?

With the warring factions among the gods of Olympus coming for them, the creatures of the abyss pushing into their world, and the boys in their lives hiding secrets at every turn, the three girls must figure out where their fate will take them and how to embrace the shadows of their legacy.

The Bad:

Sweet Venom and Sweet Shadows are both told from the point of view of all three sisters, Grace, Greer & Gretchen.  I enjoy the multiple point of views but occasionally it leaves me feeling a tad disjointed. 

The Good:

Tera Lynn Childs is a great writer.  Sweet Shadows is a fascinating and cleverly written re-imagining of Medusa's mythology.  Shadows is full of foreshadowing and Tera's ability to cast doubt and suspicion over even the most lovable characters is amazing.  I thoroughly enjoyed Sweet Venom and Sweet Shadows and recommend both to anyone who enjoys new twists on old myths.  

We have one more "Sweet" book to come - I wonder what the title will be...

~Shel 

A Touch of Greek: Out of Olympus Book 1 by Tina Folsom

***

From Tina Folsom:

Romantic Comedy about Greek Gods

Selfish and gorgeous Greek God Triton is cast out of Olympus after seducing Zeus' mistress and can only gain reentry if he finds a woman who loves him for his kindness and selflessness, not his beauty. When the mortal Sophia - recovering from an eye operation and virtually blind - needs a home healthcare worker, he takes on the role, hoping she will be his ticket home.

While defending Sophia from an unknown adversary, Triton's protective instinct emerges. At the same time rival Gods do everything to doom him to failure. And even if Triton can win Sophia's love, will he throw it away to return home, or will he lose his own heart to the only woman who truly sees him?

A Touch of Greek is the first book in the humorous paranormal romance series Out of Olympus following the romantic adventures of four Gods: Triton, Dionysus, Eros, and Hermes.

If you have been paying any attention to the books I read this last year, you will know that I am a fan of mythology.  I also enjoy romances, so a romance about greek gods?  Completely in my wheelhouse.  This is the first in the series and features the god Triton, son of Poseidon.  The romance is okay, the heroine unremarkable, but what I really enjoyed about A Touch Greek was the friendship between Triton, Dionysus, Eros and Hermes.  A typically masculine friendship full of hyjinx, amusement at the trials of the others and threats of physical violence.  The relationship between the boys was humorous, realistic and thoroughly entertaining.  I look forward to reading the second in the series, A Scent of Greek featuring Dionysus and Ariadne. 

~Shel

Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep

****1/2

From Kensington:

I’ve seen so many freaky things since I started attending Mythos Academy last fall. I know I’m supposed to be a fearless warrior, but most of the time, I feel like I’m just waiting for the next Bad, Bad Thing to happen. Like someone trying to kill me—again.

Everyone at Mythos Academy knows me as Gwen Frost, the Gypsy girl who uses her psychometry magic to find lost objects—and who just may be dating Logan Quinn, the hottest guy in school. But I’m also the girl the Reapers of Chaos want dead in the worst way. The Reapers are the baddest of the bad, the people who murdered my mom. So why do they have it in for me? It turns out my mom hid a powerful artifact called the Helheim Dagger before she died. Now, the Reapers will do anything to get it back. They think I know where the dagger is hidden, but this is one thing I can’t use my magic to find. All I do know is that the Reapers are coming for me—and I’m in for the fight of my life.

Dark Frost is the third in the Mythos Academy series.  In this installment, Gwen is dealing with attacks by Reapers; a task given to her by Nike, the goddess of victory; a confusing relationship with hottie Spartan Logan Quinn and attempting to stop the rise of Loki, the god of chaos, who wants to send the world into chaos and darkness.  That's enough to distract any girl, even my favorite Gypsy. 

Dark Frost is the darkest and best of the series thus far.  Gwen faces challenges by the Reapers and her friends.  At the end of Kiss of Frost, Gwen finds out who killed her mother.  In Dark Frost, she wants revenge, but is she strong enough to face and defeat Loki's champion? 

Dark Frost is full of intrigue and suspense - keeping you enthralled and leaves you wanting more.  Unfortunately, Crimson Frost is not scheduled out until January 2013!! 

~Shel

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

***      Happy Release Day to Aimee Carter!

From Harlequin:

Kate Winters has won immortality.

But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry’s first wife, Persephone.

The Good:

This is a very interesting sequel to The Goddess Test.  I thought Interrupted was better written and executed than Goddess Test.  The story moved more quickly and seemed to flow better than the first in the series.  Kate's a little whiny, but that is pretty true to a teenager turned immortal.  I thought the relationship and interraction between Kate and Persephone was fun and has the potential to become even more so in the next installment. 

The Bad:

I just cannot buy into Carter's mythology.  As an avid lover of Greek Mythology, I generally love books spinning mythology (see Greek Week posts from October if you don't believe me), but I really have a hard time with this one.  It is certainly a unique take on the Greek gods and I applaud the effort, but something holds me back from losing myself in the spin.

If you enjoyed The Goddess Test, you will enjoy Goddess Interrupted.  If you haven't checked out the series and you enjoy stories about the Greek gods, I say give it a chance and let me know what you think - am I crazy for not getting into it?

~Shel

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

I am reposting this review in a shameless attempt to win Josephine Angelini's Dreamless ARC contest.  Starcrossed is one of my favorites of 2011, so I am desperate to read Dreamless!  :-)

****1/2

Book description from HarperCollins Publishers:

How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

Starcrossed introduces an entirely new spin on the Greek Gods, mythology and demigods.  There is a lot of information and action in this book. Not only does the book set up a new mythology, it also introduces you to Helen and the rather large Delos family. Eventually, Helen comes to be close with the family, as they teach her about demigods and controlling and using her gifts. Obviously, I enjoyed Helen's relationship with Lucas; however, I hope that Dreamless (Book 2 releasing May 2012) focuses more on Helen's relationship with the rest fo the Delos family.  I especially enjoyed Helen's friendship with Hector, which provided comic relief during Helen's combat training.  Josephine Angelini did a fabulous job of relaying this new mythology and weaving the story. 

This book could have easily felt as if you were getting a mythology lecture, but Ms. Angelini artfully sidestepped that pitfall.  I was oblivious to the world while reading this book and did not want it to end.  So much so that I could not really focus on reading anything else until I read Starcrossed a second time.   

All in all, I definitely recommend Starcrossed and give it 4.5 stars (I still cannot stop thinking about it)!

~Shel

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

***1/2

From HarlequinTeen:                                           It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

I have read a lot of mythology related books and this is probably the most unique take on the gods I have read.  Kate is a teenager, all alone in the world, except her terminally ill mother.  They move back to her mother's hometown and Kate meets two boys.  One dark, handsome and mysterious.  The other the cute, geeky boy from school.  When she meets the dark and mysterious Henry, she agrees to his test because she thinks she has nothing to lose, but there's always something to lose. 

Kate must come to terms with losing her mother and dealing with the consequences of her bargain with Henry.  If she 'fails' the test she loses everything she cares for, even Henry. In true Greek Myth style, Kate is manipulated and deceived, while the puppet-masters watch from a distance. 

The Goddess Test is very well written and keeps you guessing until the very end (seriously, right up to the last few pages).  I am looking forward to seeing where Goddess Interrupted takes us in the Spring... 

~Shel 

Interview with Aimee Carter Author of The Goddess Test

As our final author interview of the week, we are so happy to give you Aimee Carter, who is joining us despite being sick.  A huge thanks to Aimee!

Without further adieu, we give you Aimee Carter, the author of The Goddess Test and the upcoming sequel, Goddess Interrupted.  See our review of The Goddess Test posting today for more information.

BiblioJunkies:  Since it is Greek Week, we will start out with a couple "theme" questions. The Goddess Test has a very unique take on Greek Mythology and the gods. Do you have a favorite god, hero or monster?

Aimee Carter:  Thank you! There are several different stories I love, but I'd have to say that two of my favorite figures from mythology are Hades and Aphrodite. Hades intrigues me, and Aphrodite supplies an endless amount of mischief and entertainment that is prominent throughout the Greek myths.

 

BiblioJunkies:  The Goddess Test is a retelling of Hades & Pershephone or more precisely, I suppose a retelling of Hades' story. Do you have a favorite myth?

Aimee Carter:  Other than the myth of Hades and Persephone, one of my favorites is the myth of Orpheus' journey to reclaim his wife, Eurydice, from the Underworld.

 

BiblioJunkies:  And, since we REALLY do have the mentality of 16 year old girls here at BiblioJunkies, what fictional character would you most like to go on a date with?

Aimee Carter:  Remus Lupin! Or Bill Weasley. Probably Remus.

 

BiblioJunkies:  Our obsessions here at BiblioJunkies HQ are books, boys & pie (or cupcakes if you are me) - we have covered the first two, so now for the last... do you have a favorite treat to take the edge off a tight deadline or to celebrate a day that ends in "y"? 

Aimee:  Nearly anything sweet and chocolate-y and I'm there! I love cupcakes. And pie, especially banana cream pie with chocolate drizzle. I have an entire drawer dedicated to stashing sweets, and I always keep it stocked.

 

BiblioJunkies:  And finally, any chance you will give us a hint (or two) about what is in store for Kate in Goddess Interrupted (releasing in March 2012)?

Aimee:  I can't say much about it, but I will say that it starts off in September, after Kate's six months away from Henry, though that time she's away is definitely brought up several times throughout the story.

Thank you so much for answering our ridiculous questions!  We cannot wait to read Goddess Interrupted!  You can learn more about Aimee and The Goddess Test series at Aimee's website http://www.aimeecarter.com/. 

To round out our Greek Week celebration, tomorrow we will discuss the coming attractions from the authors featured on the blog this week.  Stop by to find out about the coming releases! 

~Shel

Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs

(Don't you just love this cover?!) 

**** From HarperTeen:

Grace just moved to San Francisco and is excited to start over at a new school. The change is full of fresh possibilities, but it’s also a tiny bit scary. It gets scarier when a minotaur walks in the door. And even more shocking when a girl who looks just like her shows up to fight the monster.

Gretchen is tired of monsters pulling her out into the wee hours, especially on a school night, but what can she do? Sending the minotaur back to his bleak home is just another notch on her combat belt. She never expected to run into this girl who could be her double, though.

Greer has her life pretty well put together, thank you very much. But that all tilts sideways when two girls who look eerily like her appear on her doorstep and claim they’re triplets, supernatural descendants of some hideous creature from Greek myth, destined to spend their lives hunting monsters.

These three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful Gorgon maligned in myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in this unique paranormal world where monsters lurk in plain sight.

The story is simple enough, three young girls, each adopted as children.  Each into very different families.  Fate brings them back together, the latest guardians, protecting humans from the creatures of myth.  For me, there were six main characters, the girls, Gretchen, Grace and Greer.  The boys (of course we have to mention the boys!) Nick, Milo and Thane.  Nick is a new student at Gretchen's school and he is full of cocky swagger and fun.  Thane is Grace's adopted brother and is the strong, silent type.  Then there's Milo.  I'm not really sure what to think of Milo yet, but he seems sweet (those are always the most dangerous)...

I have read almost everything Tera Lynn Childs has written (she has two self-published chic lit books I haven't gotten to yet). Sweet Venom marks my 5th TLC book and it is her best yet. Sweet Venom is fun, action-packed and chock-full of intrigue. The story ended with a bang and left me wanting more!  I thought it was a little bit Greek mythology and a little bit Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  And seriously can you have too much of either? 

Book two, Sweet Shadows is due out in 2012 (I'm guessing in the fall, but if anyone at Katherine Tegen Books/HarperTeen is reading, I would be grateful if you could get it out earlier, please). 

~Shel

Elizabeth Miles Interviews the Furies - Beware!

When Elizabeth Miles suggested an interview with the Furies to help us celebrate Greek Week, we were more than happy to let her do the interview, because frankly, we prefer it if the Furies are oblivious to our existence.  Below is the last communication we have received from Elizabeth and we are growing quite concerned.  If you have seen or heard from her, please let us know...

Elizabeth Miles interviews the Furies

They may be sisters, and they may be joined at the hip, but unlike the Kardashians, the Furies are nothing if not unique. Each has cultivated her own individual style; they showed up to our interview with their differences on display. Tisephone (or Ty, as she prefers to be called) wore a flowing white dress that complemented her flawless skin and shock-red hair; Megaera (or Meg) arrived with a mussed mane, black leggings, a forest-green tunic, and a stunning red collar necklace; and Alecto (she goes by Ali) was bombshell-chic in a white tank top, and a miniskirt that showed off her legs, and knee-high heeled boots.

“I know what you’re thinking—we’re pretty hot,” Ali announced without compunction as we settled into a booth at the local fisherman’s bar. “But don’t be jealous,” she added, shooting a look toward Meg. “We haven’t always been like this. We’ve learned a lot over the years—about how to…play to our strengths.”

What follows is a transcript of our recorded conversation.

Elizabeth Miles:

Hello ladies, and thank you so much for joining me today. Would you mind introducing yourselves for readers who may not have spent as much time with you as I have?

Ty:

Should I go first? Why do I always go first?

Ali:

[Rolling her eyes.] Because you always push to the front, that’s why. I’ll go. My name is Alecto—but don’t call me that, call me Ali—and I’m a Fury. Haha, that sounds bad, doesn’t it?

Meg:

Well, let’s not beat around the bush. It is bad. We’re Furies, and we’re bad-ass. Oh—I’m Meg. Hi.

Ty:

And I’m Ty. [She smiles, revealing perfect white teeth that match the streak of white in her red hair.]

Eliz M:

Nice to meet you all—I think. And what does that mean, to be a Fury?

Ty:

[Her smile disappears.] It means that we are goddesses of revenge.

Eliz M:

I see. And each of you has an…area of expertise, is that correct?

Meg:

Yup. We each have little nicknames we’ve called each other for a looooong time. Like, my sisters call me “the jealous one.”

Ty:

Yes. And my name means “avenging murder”…so sometimes they’ll call me The Avenger or something.

Ali:

And mine is “unceasing anger.” Isn’t that kind of cute??

Eliz M:

Adorable. Now, let’s talk about your arrival in Ascension. What brought you here, to this small town in Maine?

Ali:

[Her eyes narrow ever-so-slightly.] Wouldn’t you like to know?

Meg:

Ali, stop it. [She looks at her sisters, who shrug as if to say, ‘Go ahead.’] Let’s just say we have history here.

Ty:

We used to have…friends in this town. We come and go. You could call us jet-setters. We’ve been called worse. [All three laugh, hard.]

Eliz M:

Oh, so you’ve been here before?

All three in unison:

Yes.

Eliz M:

What brings you to town this time around?

Ty:

A new friend. [She offers nothing more, daring me to keep prodding.]

Eliz M:

[Taking my chances…] And is that new friend Emily Winters?...[They stare.]…Chase Singer? [More impassive staring.]…I guess not. Zach McCord?

Ali:

[Snorting.] You think we would waste our time on that juicebox? We do have principles, you know.

Ty:

Ali, stop talking. [To me:] I think we’ve reached the end of this part of the interview.

Eliz M:

Okay, okay. One last question before I give up: Where do you come from?

Ali:

My mom used to tell me I sprang from spilled blood—

Meg:

[Interjecting.] I don’t think that’s what she’s talking about, Ali. We

Eliz M:

Okay, now for some quick-fire questions to finish things off... Favorite foods?

Ty:

Nothing makes my mouth water like a rare, bloody steak.

Meg:

I’m partial to vanilla ice cream topped with a pool of thick strawberry syrup.

Ali:

Pomegranate. I love feeling those seeds explode between my tongue and the roof of my mouth.

Eliz M:

Favorite animal?

All three in unison:

Snakes.

Meg:

Now it’s our turn to ask you some questions. We want to know more about your past! After all, by writing about us, it’s almost like you summoned us.

Eliz M:

Not a chance. I won’t risk the Furies wrath… [Tape recorder stops.]

 

You can learn more about Elizabeth Miles on her blog (which has great author interviews as well) at http://www.elizabethmilesbooks.com/.  Or learn more about the series at http://www.thefuryseries.com/.  And really, if you happen to run into or hear from Elizabeth, let us know she survived her interview with the Furies! 

We want to thank Elizabeth for taking the time to come play with us.  She is a great writer, super nice, willing to risk her life for an interview and loves strawberry-rhubarb pie (I promised her cobbler the next time she is in Chicago -  you should take her some if you are lucky enough to meet her ;-) ). 

~Shel