The Concealed by Sarah Kleck Review + #Giveaway

The Concealed
The Lakewood Series
Book # 1
Sarah Kleck

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy
Release Date: November 1, 2015

ISBN: 978-1503947801
ASIN: B00VVWB0AU
Pages: 335

Goodreads Rating: 3.63
My Rating: 5.0

Book Description:

“Can you be happy when what you desire most means your doom?”

Evelyn Lakewood, an orphan, is crushed after the death of her beloved sister Zara. But the nineteen-year old enrolls in Psychology at Oxford in honor of Zara.

There, Evelyn first becomes friends with vivacious Sally and seemingly charming Felix. But the encounter with Jared Calmburry, whose incredibly blue eyes immediately captivate her, fundamentally changes her life. She is instantly drawn to this mysterious stranger around whom unusual things happen and who simply disappears every time Evelyn tries to confront him about his puzzling behavior. After finding a mysterious book with a unique symbol on its leather cover in the university library, her curiosity is perked. She doesn’t know what to make of it but Jared’s best friend Colin Sullivan encourages her with cryptic hints to continue her search for evidence. When she discovers the same medieval symbol is worn by hostile professor Karen Mayflower and engraved on another faculty member’s seal ring, she realizes that an ancient secret surrounds Jared.

My Take on The Book:

That was an amazing book!

I've always had a soft spot for mythology,  history and legends. The one in this book has always been a favorite  of mine. I won't go spoiling the surprise and tell you all which one it is because figuring it all out is all part of the fun. 

I found that I liked the characters is this story more than any of the ones I've read recently. They were strong and loyal and innately good. And the depravity of the villians is tangible and terrifying that it left me with chills.

My one and only complaint was the massive cliff hanger that this book ended in and I can only hope that book 2 is released sooner rather than later. I'm definitely itching to see where this story and these characters will go!

5 Quills

A great start to what I'm sure will be a great series full of twists,  turns,  highs and lows and all around greatness. My one recommendation is that you as a reader pay attention to the little clues that are left in basically every chapter. Also, there is some sensitive subject manner that goes on in this book so if tramatic experiences like brutal murder or rape are a trigger for you like they are for me then be advised that there is some of that in here. It did touch a rather sensitive nerve with me but luckily it isn't something that is continuously mentioned. And while I commend the author for including something like that in this book as it is very important subject matter, a little warning would have been much appreciated!

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About The Author 

Sarah Kleck, born in 1984, studied Education, Psychology and Sociology at the University of Augsburg.

Currently, she's working as a human resources officer and lives with her husband in Germany near Lake Constance.

"The Concealed" is her first novel.

Author links:

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 “I received a free copy of the book from the author/publisher for my honest opinion. I was in no way compensated for this review and all opinions are expressly my own”

*** Please Disregard any typos and formating issues; my internet was down with an expected return in 24+ hours so I literally scheduled this on my phone with limited data. ***

The Cobbogoth Series Reviews + #Giveaway!

 

Uncovering Cobbogoth

Cobbogoth Series

Book #1

Hannah L. Clark

Genre: Young Adult Romantic Fantasy

Release Date: May 13, 2014

Publisher: Cedar Fort Publishing & Media

ISBN: 978-1462114269

ASIN: B00KBYQ4IM

Pages: 320

Goodreads Rating: 4.15

My Rating: 5.0

Book Description:

Norah Lukens needs to uncover the truth about the fabled lost city of Cobbogoth. After her archaeologist uncle’s murder, Norah is asked to translate his old research journal for evidence and discovers that his murder was a cover-up for something far more sinister.

When she turns to neighbor and only friend James Riley for help, she realizes that not only is their bitter-sweet past haunting her every step, but James is keeping dangerous secrets. Can Norah discover what they are before it’s too late to share her own.

  

 

My Take:

:sniffle:

That was both beautiful and magical. Beautifully magical? Magically beautiful? I don't know which would be the better statement, but regardless that is the best description I can give this book.

In this book you're introduced to the characters that will draw you in and make you feel something for them. It's almost hypnotizing to read the story. The details are so crisp and clear you're able to envision everything that's being told, and I for one found that I almost couldn't bear to put the book down.

When I first saw this book up for review, I was slightly intrigued but I didn't have an opening during the month of the tour so I had to pass up on reading it. Luckily, a month or so later, I got another tour invite for book two in this series and they were offering book one for those who hadn't read it. So of course I jumped right onto that bandwagon, and I'm really glad I did. I'm always looking for a new series to fall into. Something. You make me love the characters as much if not more then characters I grew up reading. I genuinely feel like this series has that potential.

The characters in this book are so realistic, the way they handle certain situations the way they feel and act, feel real. Sure there is a lot of other worldliness in this story but the core aspects are what I'm talking about. I loved Norah, she's the kind of character you hope to read about when you come across a story with a female heroine. She makes her mistakes, but she owns them. She's not someone that is compliant, she's very much her own person and I love that. It's so easy to read about Norah and James and Lylend; and it's even easier to care about them.

The romance in this book, is breathtaking. I found it to be probably one of the most beautiful love stories I have read, not because of the sweeping gestures or the abundant love scenes, because that isn't in this book. You just have these two characters that are so beautifully woven together but you can't help but root for them. It's just lovely. And even though it's very important its not overbearing, you are still going to get a full story that really has nothing to do with the romance. And that to me is one of the best treats as a reader and the hardest feats for an author to pull off.

5 Quills

Amazon

The Lemorian Crest

Cobbogoth Series

Book #2

Hannah L. Clark

Genre: Young Adult Romantic Fantasy

Release Date: August 23, 2015

Publisher: KinStone Publishing, LLC

ISBN: 978-1514655276

ASIN: B014RVEB20

Pages: 436

Book Cover Design: Seedlings Design Studio

Goodreads Rating: 4.40

My Rating: 5.0

Book Description:

After being raised from infancy in Boston, Mass., Noria (a.k.a Norah Lukens) has no idea what to expect upon entering New Cobbogoth, where she never would have guessed that paths of light can make you vanish; doors can lead to realms both near and far; myths and legends are actual history; a mere kiss can seal two souls as one; and, of course, a stone is never “just a stone.” Her Uncle Jack’s stories never could have prepared her for the magical and dangerous place her native realm is turning out to be.

When the Gihara’s promises begin to crumble, her best friend and soul-mate Jamus (a.k.a. James Riley) is in more danger than ever. Then when his father Lylend abandons her to search for an ancient relic called The Lemorian Crest and she is taken captive by the very people she’s risked everything to save, Noria begins to lose faith in the Cobbogothian gods and the mission they sent her home to accomplish.

Only when a series of new friendships and loyalties are forged in the most peculiar of places, does Noria dare hope again. Hope for Jamus’ safety, for their future together, and for the survival of the entire Cobbogothian race.

 My Take:

I'm not sure how it is at all possible that this book is better than part 1, but it is. Once again I am in awe of the author's ability to make me fall in love with a story and the characters involved. I had really high expectations for this book especially coming right off my high from book 1, but this threw those expectations right out of the water. It's everything you would hope for from a sequel and so much more.

I was so happy to see the growth of these characters and witness and their transformations. This is truly a spectacular story. If I'm honest though, I was slightly worried that this book may fall flat. I was scared that while book one was an amazing high, that the author wouldn't be able to follow through. I was scared that there would be too many inconsistencies and the story wouldn't progress but all it did was pull me in. I'm definitely hooked on the series, I think the author is absolutely amazing, I am obsessed with these characters, and I cannot wait for book 3. I definitely need to know where the story is going to go, I need the resolution almost as much as Norah/Noria does!

5 Quills

Amazon

About The Author

Hannah L. Clark lives with her husband and two children in the Rocky Mountains. She has always known she would be a storyteller. In 2006 she graduated from Utah Valley University with a bachelor’s degree in English and immediately began writing her first novel.

Uncovering Cobbogoth was Clark’s first book in the seven book Cobbogoth series—a YA fantasy series based on her mythological brain-child, The Legend of the Cobbogothians. It was released in May 2014 through Cedar Fort Publishing. Book 2 in the series, The Lemorian Crest will be released in Summer 2015.

Clark loves running, mythology, singing while playing the guitar, herbal tea, escaping into imaginary worlds, and being with her peeps. Like her heroine Norah, she also kind of believes that trees might have souls, but must clarify that she has never hugged a tree. The closest she has ever come to that kind of bizarre behavior was the time she hugged the pillars outside Harry Potter Land. Which, all things considered, is not bizarre at all if one takes into account how exquisitely happy she was to finally be there.

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Cherry Blossom Review & Excerpt + #Giveaway

Cherry Blossom Vampire Cherry Book #2 Sotia Lazu
Genre: Erotic Urban Fantasy Release Date: December 18, 2014 Publisher: Acelette Press
ASIN: B00OS4WZ7U ISBN: 978-0692291986 Pages: 228 Word count: 59,120 Goodreads Rating:  4.50 My Rating: 5.0
Book Description:

With her murderous maker still on the run, Cherry has enough on her mind even before her newly turned boyfriend, Alex, demands they meet each other's parents. Constantine, her ex and now member of the vampire council, is suspiciously quick to allow this breach of vampire law. It soon becomes clear there's a lot Cherry doesn't know about her family's past.

And it's threatening her present and her future.

Alex is changing, Ádísa is dead but not as gone as she should be, and feelings forced aside are reconsidered. Back in her hometown, and faced with an overabundance of new information, Cherry is determined to fight for herself, her family, and her man.

That's when her world is turned upside down.

Again.

My Take On The Book:
This book to my surprise and delight was actually very very good. I honestly didn't expect much more than a book worthy of at most 4 stars when I first started reading it but as the story progressed and I finally reached the end, I was never happier to be wrong The story is chalk full of characters that while vampiric in nature also have the human quality that allows readers to connect with them.  I loved every minute of this book and while I admit to some cliches and predictability it was nothing to get yourself worked up over. In truth i didn't even much mind the slight love triangle cause it was done oh so well.  One of my favorite aspects was this author's ability to write 'adult' content without loosing the story and keeping me enthralled even when the good guys weren't fighting off the badies.  Another bonus point is this story's ability to stand on its own. I jumped into reviewing this book never having read the first in the series and I didn't even know it was part of a series! Luckily for me, the author did a superb job at filling in the blanks from book one without seeming too repetitive or giving away too much... I know that seems improbably seeing as how it is the second book and knowing what will transpire seems anticlimactic but in reality, I knew the basics of what the first book entailed and if anything, this book made me want to go out and find the first book and read that,
But most importantly I can't wait and I HAVE to read the next installment.... Is it wrong to say I team threesome ;) but IF and only if I had to choose it's Constantine... even tho I do love Alex :sigh:

5 Quills
If you like sizzle and action in your reads then this is a definite must read. Add 2 smoldering vamps a quirky redhead and a well written dialogue and you've got yourself a winner. I recommend a million times over!

Available at 

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iTunes | Smashwords | ARe

Excerpt From The Book

“There has been a possible sighting of Willoughby.” Constantine motioned at Liza, and she hurried to refill his teacup.

Gag.

“I can’t say more at this time, but you should be getting ready for a trip at short notice,” he said.

Alex nodded, unperturbed as always by Constantine’s exaggerated air of mystery.

I wasn’t that big a person. “You got us out of bed to tell us someone’s seen the bad guy, but not who or where? What’s next?” I deepened my voice to a basso. “It will rain one day in the near or distant future.” In my normal pitch, I asked, “Was that doomsday-worthy enough for you?”

“Cherry, this is all I can tell you right now. You have to trust me. What matters is we may have a clue as to his surroundings, if not his intentions.”

“A clue you won’t share with the class.”

“I’m sure he’ll tell us more when he knows more.” Alex placed one hand over mine, which I’d apparently fisted without realizing it. His effort at soothing me had the opposite result.

“He knows more now.” I locked my gaze on Constantine’s. “Don’t you?”

Constantine shook his head and smiled ruefully. “When did you become so cynical?”

I scrunched my face in mock concentration, then widened my eyes. “I know! Must have been about the same time I found out you’d been lying to me for years, and our entire relationship was a sham. Yup, that was the exact moment.”

His eyes were a stormy midnight blue that usually meant anger or extreme pain. Yes, the man came with preinstalled mood-rings on his face.

I wasn’t being fair. His maker had appointed him my sponsor. She wanted me to fall for him, and it hadn’t taken long for that to happen. But at the time, Constantine didn’t know Ádísa had ordered my turning. And contrary to her wishes, he’d really loved me in return. Just weeks ago, he insisted he still did.

Liza walked up behind Constantine, and laid both hands on his shoulders. Until that moment, I’d only thought of her as Head Concubine. I’d assumed all they shared was sex and blood. Apparently, I’d been at least partially wrong there.

How well she knew him astounded me. Even though Constantine’s posture didn’t change, Liza noticed the subtle increase of tension in his body, just like I did. Thing was, I couldn’t tell if Constantine’s discomfort was out of guilt over the lies he’d told me in the past—for which he’d atoned by killing his own maker—or because he really knew more about Willoughby than he let on.

I didn’t want it to be the latter. Not when he’d been regaining my trust. My stomach clenched at the possibility. Instead of asking him, I said, “Fine, be mysterious. But while we’re here, can you remind Alex we’re not supposed to keep in touch with our families?” Might as well get one problem out of the way.

The tiny lines of tension around Constantine’s eyes smoothed out, and his jaw relaxed. Was it me, or did my ex seem relieved by my change of subject?

Before Constantine could speak, Alex piped in. “I want Cherry and me to meet each other’s folks. I know it’s not something vampires do, but I’m still alive as far as my mother knows, and I don’t see how Cherry’s family would be anything but ecstatic to see her again. She was never declared dead, just missing, so she can tell them she was off finding herself or something.”

I didn’t expect the matter-of-fact way he’d presented his case to do him any good. What he was asking went against council policy. No way would Constantine condone it.

Constantine smiled, his irises now faded to their normal light blue. “We have been doing things our own way for a while now.” He shrugged, apparently oblivious to how my mouth gaped at his response. “I don’t see why you shouldn’t do as you please, as long as you’re careful. I will, however, be joining you when you visit Cherry’s parents. As a precautionary measure, in case things go awry. I’ll have to make some arrangements first, but we should be able to leave by the end of the week.”

It was obvious from Alex’s eager expression that he’d go along with anything to get the go-ahead for his silly fantasy. I didn’t exactly view things the same way. It was weird how readily Constantine had agreed.

“Precautionary measure?” I asked. “You plan to mind-wipe them, if our little reunion is threatening to the vampire community?” Meaning if my parents somehow realized I was undead, freaked out, and threatened to tell the world about our existence.

The look he gave me was full of scorn. “No.” The word sounded like it was mentally accompanied by several non-flattering adjectives. “What I had in mind was that you’ll have a member of the council with you, in case another vampire realizes what you’re up to. My presence will make your visit legitimate.” I could swear I heard him finish his sentence in my head with, “You idiot.”

“Oh.” Because, what else could I say? He only had our best interest at heart, and I really should stop being so suspicious of him. If he said it was all right, it probably was. “Okay then, I guess.”

Constantine grinned. “Besides, a road trip with just the three of us? Think how much fun it will be.”

Yeah, he was hiding something, all right. All this cheer wasn’t normal. “What’s in it for you?” I asked.

“Just the pleasure of your company.” His mocking tone and arched eyebrow didn’t exactly vouch for his sincerity.

About The Author 

Sotia’s making do with Greek reality, while writing and mostly thinking in English.

She loves romances with a twist and urban fantasy novels, always with vivid erotic elements. Her favorite characters to write are not conventional hero-material at first glance, and she enjoys making them fight for their happiness.

Sotia shares her life and living quarters with her husband, their son, and two rescue dogs, one of which may be part-pony. Sappy movies make her bawl like a baby, and she wishes she could take in all the stray dogs in the world.

Also, she hates mornings!

Connect with Sotia: Website   |   Facebook   |   Twitter: @justsotia  Enter the Giveaway Here

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“I received a free copy of the book from the author/publisher for my honest opinion. I was in no way compensated for this review and all opinions are expressly my own”