Vicious by V.E. Schwab ~ Impeccable Reviews

Publication Date: September 24, 2013
Publisher: Tor
Genre: Adult, Fantasy/Paranormal
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 368



Victor and Eli started out as college roommates—brilliant, arrogant, lonely boys who recognized the same sharpness and ambition in each other. In their senior year, a shared research interest in adrenaline, near-death experiences, and seemingly supernatural events reveals an intriguing possibility: that under the right conditions, someone could develop extraordinary abilities. But when their thesis moves from the academic to the experimental, things go horribly wrong. Ten years later, Victor breaks out of prison, determined to catch up to his old friend (now foe), aided by a young girl whose reserved nature obscures a stunning ability. Meanwhile, Eli is on a mission to eradicate every other super-powered person that he can find—aside from his sidekick, an enigmatic woman with an unbreakable will. Armed with terrible power on both sides, driven by the memory of betrayal and loss, the archnemeses have set a course for revenge—but who will be left alive at the end?

My Review

I don't think you guys understand. Words cannot explain fully my appreciation for this book. Seriously, Vicious is one of the best books in the adult genre that I have ever read! The book is centered around the concept of EO or Extra Ordinary. Basically, these are extra senses and/or powers that some people are able to acquire which make them more or less superhuman. Therefore, they are referred to as EOs. Victor and Eli, two good friends and pre-med students in university, one day decide to research deeper into the topic of EOs and even try to become some themselves. Now this book is not just a story about superhumans and an exploration of their powers (as awesome as that already is), it a story of revenge, action, suspense, and a friendship gone bad.

This is one of those books where the characters all have so many dimensions to them. None of them are simply black and white and I enjoyed how complex they all were. Even though Victor is the "hero" in this story, he is not your typical superhero. Victor is in no way perfect. He takes action for more selfish reasons than to help save other people. The thing is, it doesn't matter that Victor is not the greatest human being ever because he has some redeeming qualities to him that I'm sure make many readers connect with him and like him. On the other hand, Eli might at first seem to have more charming qualities than Victor, but as the book progresses you really see his true colors that made me dislike him a lot. I would even go as far as describing him as evil.

When reading this book, my attention was held from beginning to end. I do not remember a single moment where I was actually bored. There is quite a bit of action and violence in the plot that kept me engaged the whole way through. I'd say the whole book overall has a very dark tone to it, so this would not be ideal for those looking for a light, happy read. I think my favorite part of the novel was the ending. There is a lot of build up throughout the book for the action that is to come at the end, and I was very curious and filled with anticipation to see how the story would play out. I was in no way disappointed. The book's conclusion was perfect.

Now this may sound weird, but I also enjoyed the lengths of the chapters in this book. They were short and I felt they went well with the story's flow, as well as made me feel accomplished while getting through them quickly. I definitely will have to read Victoria Schwab's other books if they are all as good as this one.

My Rating:

5 out of 5 stars

So if you could have any supernatural power, what would you choose?

Author Interview: J.D. Selmser

Today I have an interview for you guys with an author by the name of J.D. Selmser. He has written the books Stealing Destiny and Saving Destiny in the Immortal Obsession series. Here is information on both books.

Series: Immortal Obsession #1
Publication Date: October 7, 2014
Publisher: J.D. Selmser
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance
Page Count: 324



Amazon

It took one kiss for Destiny to steal his heart and Damien lived his life for another one from the woman he loved. If he only knew that that one kiss would lead to his death and eternal damnation, would he still have kissed her? In one mere second of time, Damien loses his life because of a supernatural twist. On a stormy night in the back roads of nowhere his car careens out of control and into a field claiming his life. Suddenly, everything he ever thought about heaven, hell and angels takes on a whole new meaning as he struggles to get his life back. Falling from heaven, Zahir makes the ultimate sacrifice but who is to benefit from it? When Zahir stole Damien’s future, his destiny and his body, he decides it’s time to steal it back. But then he is offered a choice between the life he was destined to live and the one Death offers him, putting him at a crossroad. Damien wants to make the best choice he can so that he can carry out his plans to marry Destiny. However, what Damien fails to recognize is that getting his life back is going to take him into a whole new dimension of what the afterlife means. In every lovers triangle there has to be someone who loses. No romance ever truly sees the happily ever after. One fell from heaven, someone is headed for hell and Destiny is the prize. When your heart and soul hang in the balance, is there ever really any second chances?

Series: Immortal Obsession #2

Publication Date: June 17, 2015

Publisher: J.D. Selmser

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

Page Count: 350

Amazon

It’s been six months since Damien Douglas’s life turned upside down. Since the night that Destiny’s guardian Angel, Zahir, decided he wanted Damien’s life and stole it from him, none of their lives have been the same. The constant fear that Death will come for the baby growing in Destiny’s belly leaves everyone on edge. Zahir, regretting his decisions, wants to redeem himself but can’t find forgiveness from anyone and he desperately wants to protect Innocence, the daughter Damien will raise. 

However, the powers that Damien inherited from Zahir’s bad choices are now becoming too much for his humanity to handle. As Angels, Death, and humans battle it out in a war between heaven, hell and earth, the saga continues as Damien tries everything in his power to protect the one thing he always wanted: his family. Will it be too much for him to handle? Will saving his family at any cost be a bigger price than he is willing to pay? Find out in the continuation of the battle between life and death as Destiny and Damien’s stories continue taking them onto a path that they may someday come to regret.

The Interview

Thank you J.D. Selmser for participating in this interview. Here are the 12 questions I asked him.

What are three words you would use to describe yourself? 

Romantic, dreamer, loyal

What is it that you value the most?

Family

What authors are your biggest influences?

Stephen King, J. R. R. Talkies, C. S. Lewis

How did the idea of writing the Immortal Obsession series come about?

      I really started out just wanting to write a simple love story. The idea that everybody has that there is one special person out there if they only have the courage to search, they will find them. Before I knew it became the idea of; What if your guardian Angel loved you so much he would actually kill to have you? I also wondered what if we truly only have one soul mate what would happen if your soul mate refused to die?

How did you decide on the titles?

       Actually the titles in this series are a play on the main female characters names. The first three are all about Destiny and the last three are all about Destiny’s child Innocence.

What would you say is the most challenging part about writing a paranormal novel?

       You have to pull from your imagination while keeping the characters relatable because there are very few tangible things to help you along.

How would you describe the books’ main character?

      Damien is fiercely loyal to the point of stupidity. He is in love with the idea of being in love and it forces him to make extreme sacrifices.

      Zahir is like a powerful toddler. He starts off with the best intentions, but when he wants something he just takes it without any thought to the consequences.

Which scene was the most fun to write about?

      Actually Damien’s car accident. It was the most complicated scene to write also because I was trying to capture the feelings through my own car accident experience, but it was also the most fun. Not the accident, but adding an experience from my life into my book then exaggerating it was a fun challenge.

If you could read only one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?

     I think it would have to be Dale Carnegie's, “How to Win Friends and Influence People”. I am a shy and rather awkward person and this book has really helped me around people.

 If you could pick any profession other than being a writer, what would it be?

      I would continue to work at my current day job. Luckily I love challenges so my current job in IT offers everything I want in life. Well except twenty free weeks to travel and see the world, but I will see it in smaller chunks.

What is the one thing you would hope your readers would get out of reading your books?

     My books are there for entertainment. I do have solid themes such as love, friendship, loyalty and hope that readers walk away with a sense of hope that everybody deserves love and true companionship.

Last but not least, are there any current projects you are working on that you would like to share with us?

      I have always got a million ideas bouncing around. Currently I am working on the third book in my Immortal Obsession series where I get to follow Damien’s journey towards madness. I am also starting a new series called Dark Origins. Surprisingly fans asked about the backstory for my character's Death and Raven and Bane.

I hope you guys enjoyed this interview. Happy Monday! Also, don't forget to help me choose what book to pre-order next month with the poll in the right sidebar ---------------------------------->>>>>>

Lost by Donnielle Tyner Review & Giveaway Promo ~ Blog Tour

Presented by: Sparkle Book Tours

Lost - The Caelian Cycle # 1

by Donnielle Tyner

 

Audience: Young Adult - Genre: SciFi, Paranormal - Format: E-book and Paperback - Publisher: Donnielle Tyner - Cover by: Kari Ayasha of Cover to Cover Designs - Editor: Jessica Nelson of Rare Bird Editing - Pages: 208 - ISBN-10: 069243299X  - ISBN-13: 978-0692432990 - ASIN: B00YFPW3N8 - Date Published: 6/19/2015

During WW1, a meteorite crashed, releasing a mist that changed the DNA of all who were exposed. One hundred years has passed and society is divided between the Norms and the Caelians, whose changed DNA awakened dormant gifts, called Talents.
Sadie is over it!
She’s an orphan, her boyfriend was murdered, and she’s the only Caelian at St. Vincent’s without a Talent. Once she turns 18, there will be no place for her in the world. That is, until a chance encounter with Kian, a Caelian boy who makes her feel uncomfortable and alive at the same time.
Secrets of her past are uncovered and Sadie’s latent, rare Talent is exposed. With great power comes the hunters, hired by an egomaniac who wants to use Sadie’s power to establish Caelian dominance. On the run with Kian and her friends, Sadie will have to decide: hide or fight.
Will Sadie accept her new reality or will she stay lost?

My Review

Lost was the story of a girl named Sadie who is a Caelian. Caelians are descendants of those who experienced a change in DNA during an event in WW1 and most of them carry a talent of some sort. Except Sadie, she cannot find her talent and has become depressed due to the loss of her boyfriend to Caelian violence. She runs into trouble while discovering the secrets of her family and her abilities. I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did, but I am definitely so glad I did!

This book's plot holds your attention and keeps you engaged. There was never a time I felt like the story was just dragging on and the plot never got boring. Donielle Tyner paced the book beautifully all the way until the end. It keeps you on your toes! I never had a clue where the plot was going and I enjoyed this aspect of my reading experience very much. The ending was no cliffhanger, but I am still eager for the next book. Thank you Donielle for sparing my heart some ache with a decent ending for a first book in the series.

Now the plot was great, but I believe the characters are what really played a key part in my enjoyment of this book. Sadie was a great protagonist who was strong yet flawed enough to be believable. Kian (the love interest) was creepy at the beginning in the way he followed Sadie around, but he had his reasoning and at least Sadie did not pretend being stalked was all fine and dandy (like some YA novels I know). All of Sadie's friends were really great supporting characters. It made me wish I had friends similar to them. Lost by Donielle Tyner really had the full package. It was a quick and satisfying read.

My Rating:

4 out of 5 stars

Amazon / Goodreads / Nook / iBooks / Kobo

I put my phone back in my back pocket. Crossing my arms, I looked up at the stars again. The night was devoid of clouds, unusual for spring. Golden stars glittered across the heavens, winking at me from the endless arch of the void and transporting me to a place of tranquillity. The peace of space poured into my soul.
“What’s a Liam moment?” Kian’s gruff voice whispered. I felt his hot breath caress my ear. His closeness both startled me and sent a shiver down my spine. I straightened my back.
“I thought I told you I wasn’t interested.” I attempted to make my voice sound forceful, but it came out soft. I felt the heat from his body as he stepped closer to me.
“What’s your name?” Kian asked. The gruffness of his voice from earlier had left. This new voice was smooth and flowed like poetry. My heart sped up and I heard the blood pulsing in my ears. I was sure he could hear it. What kind of Talent was he using to cause me to react this way?
“Quit using your Talent on me,” I hissed.
“I’m not. If I was, you’d know it,” he replied with a chuckle.
“Oh.” I didn’t understand what was happening. He placed a hand on my waist and the warmth was searing. I was sure it would leave a mark. My eyes closed and my breath deepened. Tingles flowed from his hand, spreading throughout my body and stirring something in my soul. I released a breath I didn’t realize I had been holding. “Take your hand off me and back away before I break your fingers.”
Kian snickered. “Spunky.”
“Creepy,” I replied.
Kian chuckled again, his hot breath shooting sparks right to my stomach.
“Don’t make me ask again.” I felt his hand tense. His fingers increased their pressure against my waist right before the coldness swept in as he removed his hand. I released the breath I was holding.

(no particular order)

I’m good – The Mowglis

Cough cough – Everything Everything

Don’t wanna fight – Alabama Shakes

Flaws – Bastille

End of the world – Deap Vally

Cool kid – The Eeries

Pretty girl – Stockholm Syndrome

Under stars – Aurora

Golden – Parade of Lights

Blindfold – Sleeping Wolf

Reflections – Misterwives

For you – Wolf Rider

Two hearts – The Features

Technicolour Beat – Oh Wonder

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Donnielle Tyner has held down many jobs, but never found satisfaction until she became a freelance writer and stay at home mom. She began writing in junior high when a teacher gave her a book of poetry. Ever since, she found a deep passion for reading and writing. Donnielle is from North Texas and enjoys her chickens, garden, and most of all her children.

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Guest Post by Pembroke Sinclair Author of "The Appeal of Evil": Dealing With Rejection

Author Bio:

Pembroke Sinclair is a literary jack of all trades, playing her hand at multiple genres. She has written an eclectic mix of fiction ranging from horror to sci-fi and even some westerns. Born in Rock Springs, Wyoming--the home of 56 nationalities--it is no wonder Pembroke ended up so creatively diverse. Her fascination with the notions of good and evil, demons and angels, and how the lines blur have inspired her writing. Pembroke lives in Laramie, Wyoming, with her husband, two spirited boys, a black lab named Ryder, and a rescue kitty named Alia, who happens to be the sweetest, most adorable kitty in the world! She cannot say no to dessert, orange soda, or cinnamon. She loves rats and tatts and rock and roll and wants to be an alien queen when she grows up. 

You can learn more about Pembroke Sinclair by visiting her at http://pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com/ 

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Dealing With Rejection

No matter how you slice it or dice it, rejection is part of the publishing world.  Even the greats were rejected—sometimes numerous times.  The one thing to remember is that it happens to everyone.

Just because it happens to everyone doesn’t mean it’s any less painful.  Rejections can weigh on you and make you question why you’re writing at all.  I’ve been there, done that.  However, as time goes on, they become less painful. 

Since I started querying for projects in 2008, I’ve received a slew of rejections, most of them have been flat out “Nos” or no response at all, but a few have been out of the ordinary.  I received one for my first novel from a publisher, who then came back 3 weeks later and said they wanted to publish it.  Apparently, there was a miscommunication between the reader and publisher and it wasn’t supposed to be rejected at all.  In the end, they wound up publishing the book.

I received several rejections for my first nonfiction book where one publisher said it was too scholarly and another would say it wasn’t scholarly enough.  Eventually, I had TWO publishers who wanted it.

When I was querying agents for The Appeal of Evil, I had an agent reject it because of a review I received on my middle grade book.  The two books had absolutely nothing to do with one another, and yet that was the basis for saying no.  It was bizarre.

I’m not going to lie, rejections used to get me down.  They used to make me angry and make me wonder why I was even writing at all.  They made me feel like I wasn’t good enough and that I was wasting my time.  And then one day, I got over it.

Rejections suck, but they don’t define me.  They don’t dictate who I am as a person or a writer and they aren’t going to stop me from writing.  There are so many different avenues to get published anymore that authors have the power to decide the fate of their work.

Rejections mean you’re putting your work out there.  My friend and I have this thing we do where we congratulate each other every time we get a rejection.  It means we’re actually trying, that we’re putting ourselves and our work into the world.  That’s the first step in finding a publisher—even if that publisher happens to be you.

So the next time you get a rejection, congratulate yourself for trying and move on.  Eventually, you’ll get a yes, and that’s the best feeling in the world.  It’s so good, you’ll forget about all the nos that came before it.

The Appeal of Evil by Pembroke Sinclair

Publication Date: January 13, 2014

Publisher: Booktrope

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

Page Count: 210

Katie wants to invest her heart and soul in love, but she may lose both to Hell.

Katie, a senior in high school, is torn between loving the “good” guy, her childhood friend Wes who makes promises he doesn't keep and abandons her when she needs him the most, and the “bad” guy, the new kid at school Josh who is also a real demon from Hell. Katie wants someone who pays attention to her and puts her first, but what is she willing to give up to find him?

Buy it Now:

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