Claire Daly: Reluctant Soul Saver Review + #Giveaway

Claire Daly: Reluctant Soul Saver
Michele Brouder

Genre: Young Adults Paranormal Romance
Release Date: September 20, 2015

ISBN: 978-1515080503
ASIN: B015NCLL02

Pages: 204
Goodreads Rating: 3.71
My Rating: 4.5

Book Description:

When seventeen-year-old librarian wannabe Claire Daly is dragged kicking, screaming and cursing from everything she loves—her mam, her cozy Irish village and the dreamy boy next door—to take up arms in the battle of good versus evil, she learns the hard way that sometimes you don’t get to choose your own destiny, destiny chooses you.

Claire’s life plan is simple: head off to university to get her degree in library studies, summon up the courage to tell her best friend Chas that she loves him and live happily ever after. She never once entertained the idea that she might possess divine powers, that she might be predestined to battle Hell’s demons, or, to complicate matters further, that another love of many lives past might turn up on her doorstep. But life doesn’t always go as planned, and when a co-worker is viciously attacked by a demon and her own family threatened, Claire must face the truth: she is called to a higher purpose and has no choice but to answer. Claire sets aside her dreams and begins learning how to deal with the Unholy once and for all. Armed with only a crash course in soul saving and her wits, she gears up for the ultimate show down in Hell. But will it be enough?

My Take:

That was amazing!

I had high hopes for this book, and to be quite frank I wasn't sure it was going to pan out when I first started reading this book. It wasn't that it was bad or the writing was hard to follow but more that Claire seemed to annoy me more than anything. I really wasn't sure how I was going to feel about a book with a lead I couldn't stand. Luckily for all involved, Clare kind of grew on me. I'm still not her biggest fan but I do enjoy the story, the history, and the premise. It also doesn't hurt that I enjoyed the other characters.

The story-line is really original and captivating. So while Claire wasn't my favorite character at first, the story itself was more than enough to keep me hooked. Now if you are wondering why Claire was not my favorite heroine... simple, she was overly childish most times. She also can off as selfish and a wee bit naive.

4.5 Quills

So Claire wasn't the most likable, but the story line was and the author is extremely talented if she can manage to keep me 100% invested even when the lead drives me bat shit crazy. It was that great writing that ultimately made me a 'reluctant' (see what I did there) fan of Claire. Because, even with all her faults, Claire does have moxie!

BAM | Amazon | B&N | TBD

Available for 99¢ on Amazon UK

About The Author

I was born in western New York, the oldest of 5. I've loved reading since I was very little. From the age of 9, I've wanted to be a writer. In high school, I wrote a lot of angst-ridden civil war dramas ala Gone With The Wind, knowing more about the Battle of the Bull Run than a normal teenager should know. I dabbled in writing after that but didn't get serious about it until 2006, when I decided that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

I've had many interesting jobs but my passion has always been writing.

I lived in Ireland from 2006-2013 with my husband and 2 boys. We moved back to the US and settled in Florida briefly (2 years) before returning back to Ireland in August 2015.

Connect with the Author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest

Enter The Giveaway Here

One (1) will received a $25 Amazon Gift Card, a copy of Claire Daly: Reluctant Soul Saver, a book mark, a coffee mug, and some other stuff for 'readers' from the author (INT)

Three (3) winners will receive a copy of Claire Daly: Reluctant Soul Saver by Michele Brouder (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for stopping by,

Tour Organized By:

Tainted Energy Review & Excerpt/teaser + #Giveaway

Tainted Energy Energy Series Book #1 Lynn Vroman
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance, Fantasy Release Date: November 4, 2014 Publisher: Untold Press
ISBN: 978-0692318867 ASIN: B00O0H7MTG Pages: 306
Goodreads Rating:  4.28 My Rating: 5.0
Book Description:
For seventeen-year-old Lena, living in the trailer park with the rest of town’s throwaways isn't exactly paradise. Dealing with a drunken father who can't keep his fists to himself doesn't help matters either. The only good thing in her life, other than track, is the mysterious man who visits her dreams, promising to find her.
When a chair burns her arms, Lena chalks it up to stress-induced crazy. Yet as bizarre incidents escalate, even being crazy can’t explain it all away… until one day dream guy does find her.
Tarek lost Lena seventeen years ago after she was accused of treason and marked Tainted. He finally discovers her reborn on Earth into a life of suffering as punishment for her crime.
However, someone else has already found her… and wants her dead. Willing to sacrifice everything, he fights to keep her safe so she can live the only life she’s ever known—even if that life doesn't include him.

My Take On The Book:
I didn't think it was at all possible to both love and hate a book as much as this one. This story is one my absolute favorites thus far. I was particularly fond of the characters and their development. 
It was a very unique story, different then a lot of the stories that are popular in this genre. I give the author kudos in her ability to create a world that is easy to immerse yourself in and creating characters that are easy to connect too regardless of their other worldliness. 
another pro to this story was the development of the love between the characters. There was just something so touching about the kind of love you see... both familial and romantically.

5 Quills
I personally can not wait to  get my hands on the next books of this series. I am really excited to learn more about these characters and see how the story progresses. I'm anxiously awaiting February 3rd as it is the estimated release date for the nest in the series. I can't stand the way the end of this story leaves you hanging! And as always once I've read the book, I'll review it! As for a recommendation.... Of course. It's a well planned book that is definitely not lacking in umph. I suggest you guys and gals read it for yourself and decide where it stands.
Buy Links:
Amazon│Barnes & Noble

Pre-Order Book 2:

Amazon

EXCERPT

            A movement at the edge of the forest caught my attention, causing me to grip the railing. At first, I thought it was Wilma, but the shape was too big, too masculine. Maybe one of the potheads decided to come back without his friends? Nope. The size of the guy didn't match any of the skinny boys who walked in minutes before.
            When he made it to the edge of the woods, twinges of...something...prickled my skin.
"Finally." His voice was a whisper, but that didn't stop what he said from carrying across the road as he moved closer. Sadness covering his face gave me an odd urge to reassure him, let him know everything was okay.
            His hand covered his heart. "It's been so long."
            I took sporadic, small steps off the porch, not wanting to spook him. That's when I noticed his clothes.
            Dressed all in black, the tight shirt and pants made his blond hair glow. I'd never seen anyone outside of actors in movies wear what passed for a leotard, which moved with him as though his clothes were a living organism leeching onto his body, needing it to survive.
            "Who are you?" My nails dug into the wood.
            He shook his head as the sadness surrounding his eyes tightened to anger so vivid waves of it floated in the frosty air.
            The sudden change definitely helped erase any desire to soothe him. I had no clue what pissed him off, but sticking around to find out didn't sound like a good idea.
The ripples and sways of his shirt as he stalked across the road were beautiful, graceful, but the look on his face said I should forget about his grace and run.
            My hands pushed down the air in hopes he understood the universal signal for calm down.
            If he understood, he didn't listen because he ate up the rest of the space between us in seconds.
            I took off, running to the back of the park, not wanting to lead him to my doorstep. He was right behind me, so close I imagined his breath hitting the back of my neck when he spoke. "Wait!"

About The Author 

Born in Pennsylvania, Lynn spent most of her childhood, especially during math class, daydreaming. Today, she spends an obscene amount of time in her head, only now she writes down all the cool stuff. 

With a degree in English Literature, Lynn used college as an excuse to read for four years straight. She lives in the Pocono Mountains with her husband, raising the four most incredible human beings on the planet. She writes young adult novels, both fantasy and contemporary.

Author Links: Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

Enter The Giveaway Here
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for stopping by,

Tour Organized By:

“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”

Protect Her by Sophia Kimble Review

Protect Her The Druid's Curse Book #1 Sophia Kimble
Genre: Paranormal Romance Release Date: October 22, 2014 Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
ASIN: B00O4G18RK Pages: 260
Goodreads Rating:  4.83 My Rating: 5.0
Book Description:
Golden Alexander is trapped in a nightmare. Trying to flee her hallucination of a demon, she runs heart first into the brooding alpha male she’s been dreaming about for years, and then her nightmare really begins. Kris Pietka is done with women...he’s broken. But when he meets Golden, an overwhelming need to protect her tests everything he thought he knew about himself, and the paranormal. A bond forged centuries ago thrusts them together as they search for a way to break an ancient Druid curse prophesying their demise. Racing against the clock, they travel from Vermont, to the Carpathian Mountains in Poland, and the Scottish Highlands in search of answers and a way to break the curse. But something evil watches—it covets, and time is running out. Will fate allow love to prevail against unbeatable odds, or will Golden wake to find it was all a delusion?

My Take On The Book: This book reminded me why I love reading! It was utterly unique and it transported me into a fantastical world that can only exist in a really well written book. A world full of romance, family, friendship, loyalty, magic and curses. I was particularly found of the whole reincarnation aspect in this story.
I loved the splashes of history thrown in here and there and while I'm usually not a warping history mainly because it's usually done sloppily, i enjoyed it in this book. But mostly I was just a fan of the story. It was a sensual yet tastefully written book. Like your favorite pair of heels, or better yet my favorite pair of boots. Sexy but not slutty. I was enthralled from the moment the 2 leads met on page and I found it really hard not to grow attached to the characters in this book.
Each character, good and bad was well developed and true to themselves as the story progressed. My only slight dislike was with the pair jumps. I love Izzy and I love Malcolm so the brief glimpses into their story was really nice but I felt like there might have been a smidge too much of that as this book focused on Kris and Golden. Other than that I thought the book was near perfect.

5 Quills
Kudos to Ms. Kimble for imagining such a detailed, magical, imaginative and well executed world that I for one look forward to revisiting... I just have 1 question, when will book 2 be released. So why are you still reading this review. Go buy the book and take a look for yourself
Available at Amazon
Excerpt From The Book

The side door to the house opened behind her.
“Matka? Dzien dobry? Ma? Hello?”
The deep male voice filled the kitchen. Filled her. Her muscles tightened, her arms vibrated like she’d been doing yard work for the last hour and had just turned off the weed whacker.
Mary raised an eyebrow in her direction before looking past her to the door. “Kris, proszę meet Golden. Come, come.”
Heavy boots sounded on the wooden steps. The loud thumping stopped as if in mid-step and an invisible electric current slammed into her back. Heat spread through her and settled in her belly.
“Matka, what’s going on here?”
“Golden is your Babci’s new caregiver.” Mary enunciated as if she were speaking to a five-year-old. “I told you last week she answered the ad and was coming today. She’ll be starting on Monday.”
Mary glared at Kris and then turned to Golden with an apologetic smile on her face. Kris moved around the table and stood next to his mother.
Her mouth fell open.
He narrowed his piercing blue eyes at her, and a lock of sandy brown hair fell from behind his ear.
Holy shit.
He looked exactly like the man she’d been dreaming of for years.
The once cozy kitchen felt tiny. Airless. Too hot. Using the table as a lever, Golden forced herself to stand and shot a glance in Mary’s direction, worried she was hallucinating her dream man and looked delusional. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d acted crazy. Okay, Mary didn’t act like her new employee was tripping her ass off. Good to know.
Words in a language she didn’t understand flew out of his mouth, his unfriendly gaze fixed on her. Wow, angry much? He was obviously talking about her in a not so nice way, which pissed her off. Combined with her confusion, she was a hot mess. And all the while her emotions were ping ponging, her body pulsed, begging for this jerkoff to touch her.
His brows furrowed, and he ranted as though she weren’t in the room. Rude. New plan. She’d figure out how she’d dreamt of him later. First, she wanted to know what he had against her and why she reacted to the jerk like he’d brought her a dozen roses while hanging out the sunroof of a limo.
Mary cut him off with a single word. “Dosyć!” She closed her eyes and whispered, “Enough.”
Kris sucked in a breath, and without another word, pivoted on his heel and walked deeper into the house.
What was wrong with him? Ever hear of anger management classes? And what was wrong with her Benedict Arnold body? Pick an emotion and stick to it. Anger, that’s what was called for here. Not, gee you’re hot, I’ve been dreaming of you for years. Want to hook up?
Figures, the one guy that finally made her wake up and say hell yes was a total turd.

About The Author 

Sophia Kimble has always wanted to be an author, but for years, life got in the way. She wouldn’t change a thing about how her life turned out, though. Her family keeps her laughing and loving. Her wonderful husband and two extraordinary children stand beside her every step of the way and make this journey called life worth living. Sophia has worked as a nurse for twenty years, but has put that career path aside to devote her time and imagination to writing down the stories that keep her up nights.   She takes her love of the paranormal, history, and genealogy, and weaves them into tales of family, fated love, and supernatural occurrences.
Connect with Sophia: Website   |   Facebook   |   Twitter: @SophiaKimble  

Thanks for stopping by,

Tour Organized By:

“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”