Blog Tour+ARC Review+Giveaway: "Breakwater" by Catherine Jones Payne




Breakwater
by Catherine Jones Payne
Genre: YA Fantasy/Mermaids
Release Date: May 30th 2017
Fathom Ink Press

Summary from Goodreads:


A red tide is rising. 

Jade, a seventeen-year-old mermaid in the underwater city of Thessalonike, finds her world upended when her fiancé murders a naiad. As tensions surge between the mer and the naiads, Jade must navigate murky waters, negotiating her responsibilities as the daughter of one of the king's most trusted advisors and her budding friendship with a naiad. But as she tries to fight the tide of anger in a city that lives for scandal, she discovers that danger lurks in every canal. If she fails to mend the divisions between their worlds, the upwelling of hate will threaten to rip apart everything she loves.  









BUY ON

REVIEW

I received an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

The story of Jade and her life underwater was a very interesting one. There's politics plot to destroy and a very vivid, colorful underwater world. I liked the premise of the book, but what kept me hook to the story was the constant race against time in order to save everyone.

Needless to say the reason I also loved this book was because the underwater city where Jade lives is named Thessalonike, just like my home city in Greece!



About the author:

Author Links:
   
Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Instagram


Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Most Anticipated Books For The Second Half of 2017


This meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.
This week’s topic is Top Ten Tuesday #111: My most anticipated books for the second half of 2017! Since I wanted to add books that are NOT by Sarah J. Maas here's some other of my anticipated titles!


10: Renegades by Marissa Meyer: Hands down, I'll read anything by this author!



9: Into the Bright Unknown by Rae Carson: The final book of this amazing western series is coming to an end!



8: Before she Ignites by Jodi Meadows: There are dragons here! And two moons!



7: Wonder Woman Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo: YES! I want Wonder Woman! And I've been seeing some great reviews too!



6: Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore: Bi Latino girls and curses! I love McLemore's writing and her descriptions!



5: An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson: Fae, forbidden love and art all in one! Also the cover was designed by Charlie Bowater, the one who is known for her ACOTAR fanart!



4: Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco: I mean, of course they had to go to Romania! I knew it from book one that whenever a character goes to Romania, surely they'll come across Vlad Tepes!



3: The Loneliest Girl in the Universe by Lauren James: A thriller in space and a romance across light years!



2: Zero, Repeat, Forever by Gabrielle Prendergast: This one is pitched as "Beauty & the Beast meets the 5th Wave". I DIDN'T like how the 5th wave series ended, so let's hope that the story will be as good as the cover.



1: Superman by Matt de la Pena & Batman by Marie Lu: These two DC Icons books also come out in 2017, so I hope to read them! Only Catwoman remains, which will be written by Sarah J. Maas, but it will be published on 2018.







ARC Reviews: Three Books by favorite authors!


A Strange Hymn by Laura Thalassa
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads

Siren and soulmate to the King of Night, Callypso Lillis survived the clutches of Karnon, the mad king, and his twisted prison. But the nightmare isn’t over. Callie wears the physical reminders of her time as a captive, and mounting evidence suggests the Thief of Souls is still out there.

When a fae celebration thrusts Callie and her mate, Desmond Flynn, into the Kingdom of Flora, they take their investigation with them. But under the bright lights and striking blooms of the realm, they find there are more immediate issues to deal with. No place is more uniquely savage than the great fae halls, and no amount of bargains can save Callie from royal intrigues.

Fairies play dangerous games. Some want love, some want vengeance, some want flesh, and some want things too unspeakable to utter. One thing is for sure: no one is who they appear to be. Not even Des, who only grows more enigmatic with every passing secret.

But the Kingdom of Flora has its own secrets, from bleeding trees to branded slaves and missing guards. Something is stirring in the land of all that grows, and if Callie isn’t careful, it will claim everything and everyone she loves—and her along with it.
 



BUY ON



REVIEW

I received an e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. 

Laura Thalassa continues to be full of surprises. Not only can she capture the emotional spectrum of her characters and present it realistically, but also she delivers a great plot and amazing world-building.

Strange Hymn is the sequel to Rhapsodic, which introduced us to a world of paranormal, fairies and of course Desmond! The sequel picks up right from the end of the first book, where Callie will have to deal with her traumas from her time in the Fauna Court and also she will discover more about the deadly beauty of Desmond's world.

I loved the descriptions, the mystery behind the mythology of the fae, not to mention Desmond and his dialogue. The plot thickens when the couple have to travel on the Flora Court where its Queen needs a good slapping and nothing is at it looks like. And the Thief of Souls has a new plot for the Courts.

The best part? How Temper arrived, guns and magic blazing in order to save Callie believing she was captured. I loved seeing Temper and Callie together. Friendship in books is good to be appreciated.

There were many parts left unsolved in the end of the book, but not before Laura Thalassa delivered a great punch line of an epilogue! I can't wait for the final book!


And don't miss the first book of the series:






About the author:

Found in the forest when she was young, Laura Thalassa was raised by fairies, kidnapped by werewolves, and given over to vampires as repayment for a hundred year debt. She’s been brought back to life twice, and, with a single kiss, she woke her true love from eternal sleep. She now lives happily ever after with her undead prince in a castle in the woods.

… or something like that anyway.

When not writing, Laura can be found scarfing down guacamole, hoarding chocolate for the apocalypse, or curled up on the couch with a good book.





Never want to miss a release? Sign up for my newsletter HERE 

Like to discuss my books? Join my Goodreads fan page HERE or my Facebook fan page HERE 

Official Site: http://www.laurathalassa.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraThalassa/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauraThalassa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurathalassa/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/laurathalassa/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+LauraThalassa/
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Laura-Thalassa/e/B00DN9YA3S/
Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/LauraThalassa
Email: laurathalassa.author@gmail.com
(less)







The Traitor's Tunnel by C.M. Spivey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads


Witch-blooded robber Bridget has made a reputation for herself in the capital city, but she's not interested in the attention of the Thieves' Guild--and she's not bothered by the rumors of urchin kidnappings, either. With winter coming, she's looking out for herself and no one else.

Until she picks the wrong pocket, and recognizes her estranged brother Teddy.

Young craftsman Theodor arrives in the capital ready to take the final step toward his dream career as Lord Engineer of Arido. His apprenticeship with a renowned city engineer comes with new rules and challenges, but it's worth it for the exposure to the Imperial Council.

While spying on her brother, Bridget overhears a secret meeting that reveals a cruel plot. After more than a decade apart, Theodor and Bridget must reunite to stop a traitor whose plan threatens not only their city, but the whole empire.

Set seven years before the events of From Under the MountainThe Traitor's Tunnel is the story of two young people presented with a choice--to protect themselves, or to protect others--the consequences of which will change their lives forever.



PRE-ORDER ON



REVIEW

I received an e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. 

I was glad to have the chance and read yet another great book by Cal Spivey. "The Traitor's Tunnel" is part of the "Trident Chronicles" with its most notable novel, "From Under the Mountain". There are witches, mystery and a great deal of fantasy if you enjoy the genre.

But the beauty of this book comes into the from of the social acceptance and diversity. From the protagonists, Theodor is asexual but also in relationship with Leander. Bridget is bi but also in an F/F relationship with Keaton. The children of this world can choose the gende they want to end up with growing up and a special pronoun is used before they choose their gender.

Despite their different upbrining both Theo and Bridget get to come closer as siblings and fight together against the noumerous villains of this novella. I enjoyed this small installment to the series and I can't wait to read more in the future!


The first book of the series:










The Longing and the Lack by C.M. Spivey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads

Lucinda Hightower is no stranger to death.

Since she was a child, Lucinda has been haunted by rabid dogs, suicidal crows, and the ghost of a woman in white. All are omens signaling someone's imminent demise—except Lucinda's friends and family are still breathing.

The omens follow her to Ireland and the quiet university in her father's hometown, increasing in strength and frequency once she meets Damien Reed. A handsome third year student, Damien thrusts himself into Lucinda’s life almost immediately and caresses away the unsavory reputation that shadows him.

It’s not until the ghost sinks her nails into Damien that he reveals his secret: the death omens are for him. 

They’re the manifestations of a curse that claims the life of the eldest Reed son every generation. Damien’s time is nearly up. If Lucinda is to save him, she must solve the mystery of her family curse, and lay a spirit's rage to rest.



PRE-ORDER ON



REVIEW

I received an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Usually I fear reading gothic romances, since sometimes they tend to lean into the thriller side. With the exception of the author Grace Draven, this series by Cal Spivey, made me re-approach my view of the genre.

Lucinda has a horrible ability which would make even the most brave people run for their lives. When mysterious appearances of a ghost lead her to Ireland and to Damien, the deadly occurences begin to become frequent with the result of colliding Lucinda's and Damien's lives together.

I liked the plot though sometimes I was very afraid. That's on me only, but no one can disagree that the gothic element was represented beautifully and the twists in the mystery were very compelling.

I really am excited for the sequel too!




About the author:

C.M. Spivey is a speculative fiction writer, author of high fantasy FROM UNDER THE MOUNTAIN and the paranormal series, "The Unliving". His enduring love of fantasy started young. 

Now, he explores the rules and ramifications of magic in his own works—and as a trans, panromantic asexual, he's committed to queering his favorite genres. In his spare time, he plans his next tattoo (there will always be a next tattoo) and watches too much Netflix. Anything left over is devoted to his tireless quest to make America read more. 

He lives in Portland, Oregon, with his darling husband Matt and adorable dog Jay.



Cover Reveal: "Amnesia" by Cambria Hebert


Amnesia
Cambria Hebert
Publication date: June 12th 2017
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense
I washed ashore in a little lake town.
A place where everyone knows everyone, yet…
No one knows me.
I don’t know me.
If a woman doesn’t know her own name, does she really exist?
I don’t know my natural hair color, my birthdate, or where I live.
I am invisible.
To everyone, to everything, even to myself.
Except to him.
I see the recognition deep in his stare, the way it lingers on my face as if I’m a puzzle he’s desperate to put together.
I just want answers, the truth… knowledge.
His lips are sealed. Still, his eyes beguile me.
I can’t trust anyone, not even myself. Someone wants me dead, the same someone who tried to bury me in a watery grave.
They’ll come for me again… I won’t know their face.
I don’t even know mine.
I am amnesia.






Author Bio:
Cambria Hebert is an award winning, bestselling novelist of more than twenty books. She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair.
Besides writing, Cambria loves a caramel latte, staying up late, sleeping in, and watching movies. She considers math human torture and has an irrational fear of chickens (yes, chickens). You can often find her running on the treadmill (she’d rather be eating a donut), painting her toenails (because she bites her fingernails), or walking her chorkie (the real boss of the house).
Cambria has written within the young adult and new adult genres, penning many paranormal and contemporary titles. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense. A few of her most recognized titles are: The Hashtag Series, Text, Torch, and Tattoo.
Cambria Hebert owns and operates Cambria Hebert Books, LLC.


XBTBanner1

Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Summer Reads!


This meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.
This week’s topic is Top Ten Tuesday #110: In which I post about the best books to read in summer or they are going to be released in summer! Here's my top 10 choices in both YA and NA!


10: Breathe (Summer Breeze #1) by Abbi Glines: Though I've read the first book only the series has amazing reviews and love sparks in the summer!



9: Nowhere but Here (Thunder Road #1) by Katie McGarry: A summer vacation, an MC club and a family secret are the main pros in this series! I loved the first book but honestly, I adored the rest.



8: I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios: One of the most emotional read of my 2016 Read list! Dealing with life after school, PTSD and the impossible chance of love this little bit is recommended!



7: Ten Tiny Breaths series by K.A. Tucker: I love, love these books! Amazing characters, too many feels and great dialogues!



6: The Darkest Promise (Lords of the Underworld #13) by Gena Showalter: It's Cameo's story! I've waiting for her arc in a long time and I believe that slowly this series is coming to an end. Still it's one of my anticipated summer reads!



5: Girl out of Water by Laura Silverman: I still haven't read this book but it has surfing, summer and self-discovery.



4: What to say Next by Julie Buxbaum: I had the chance to review an ARC of this beauty and I adored the characters and the plot! School, bullying a character of is unique and smart can make your heart melt from its sweetness!



3: Silver Silence by Nalini Singh: I never miss the chance to read a book by my favorite NA/A author! I love her worlds and her characters!



2: The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee: This anticipated summer read has gained many positive reviews! I can't wait for it!



1: Love in English & Where Sea Meets Sky by Karina Halle: The first book is set in Spain and it's a steamy NA with forbidden love. The second is also set in summer in New Zealand! These are by far my most favorite books by Karina Halle!






Milky Way of Books Presents: Solar System Genre Reviews. Where I visit Fantasy! (Part 1)


Hello everyone! This is a new feature I have been planning for a while. Inspired by space and my love for reading, I've categorized each genre into respective "solar systems". You'll see collective reviews on books I've read with a bio of their respective authors.

For this week, I plan to 'visit' Fantasy. There've been many books I've read of this genre on March and April and loved too much!






Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads

Wintersong is a maze of beauty and darkness, of music and magic and glittering things, all tied together with exquisite writing. This is a world you will want to stay lost in.” —Marie Lu, #1 New York Times bestselling author

The last night of the year. Now the days of winter begin and the Goblin King rides abroad, searching for his bride…

All her life, Liesl has heard tales of the beautiful, dangerous Goblin King. They’ve enraptured her mind, her spirit, and inspired her musical compositions. Now eighteen and helping to run her family’s inn, Liesl can’t help but feel that her musical dreams and childhood fantasies are slipping away.

But when her own sister is taken by the Goblin King, Liesl has no choice but to journey to the Underground to save her. Drawn to the strange, captivating world she finds—and the mysterious man who rules it—she soon faces an impossible decision. And with time and the old laws working against her, Liesl must discover who she truly is before her fate is sealed.

Dark, romantic, and powerful, S. Jae-Jones's Wintersong will sweep you away into a world you won’t soon forget.



BUY ON 



REVIEW

This was one of the most anticipated books on my February TBR list. Yet, I was able to read only in the middle of the month.

Wintersong, as mentioned in many different reviews, is truly inspired by the story of the Labyrinth and the Goblin King. It also has a small reference to the myth of Persephone and Hades, since the author ties nicely old folklore and German history.

Liesl is the daughter of a family who struggles to hold her place in society. Her brother is talented in music and her sister is vain and to my opinion, plainly annoying. When an old promise with the Goblin King is brought into Liesl's memories, she will struggle to save her sister and discover more about herself and the myth behind the Goblin King.

The descriptions were written beautifully. I was entranced with the world of the Goblin King and the creatures that live in it. And while Liesl was also annoying in the first part of the book, she became a part of the King's life, using their love for music to bring them closer.

And there is sexual tension in this book. It's not only songs and poetry. There is a raw emotion binding the Goblin King and Liesl and when the final pages came I was crying over their fates.

The ending of the book held a tiny surprise which the author tied with a very known part of a composer's life. I was very surprised also to see that there'll be a sequel because the main characters have to be together! I want to know what will happen!






About the author:

S. Jae-Jones, called JJ, is an artist, an adrenaline junkie, and the author of Wintersong, forthcoming from Thomas Dunne in February 2017.

Born and raised in sunny Los Angeles, she lived in New York City for ten years before relocating down to Dixie, where she is comfortably growing fat on grits and barbecue. When not writing, she can be found rock-climbing, skydiving, taking photographs, drawing pictures, and dragging her dog on ridiculously long hikes.









The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads

Fate and fortune. Power and passion. What does it take to be the queen of a kingdom when you’re only seventeen?

Maya is cursed. With a horoscope that promises a marriage of death and destruction, she has earned only the scorn and fear of her father’s kingdom. Content to follow more scholarly pursuits, her whole world is torn apart when her father, the Raja, arranges a wedding of political convenience to quell outside rebellions. Soon Maya becomes the queen of Akaran and wife of Amar. Neither roles are what she expected: As Akaran’s queen, she finds her voice and power. As Amar’s wife, she finds something else entirely: Compassion. Protection. Desire…

But Akaran has its own secrets—thousands of locked doors, gardens of glass, and a tree that bears memories instead of fruit. Soon, Maya suspects her life is in danger. Yet who, besides her husband, can she trust? With the fate of the human and Otherworldly realms hanging in the balance, Maya must unravel an ancient mystery that spans reincarnated lives to save those she loves the most…including herself.



BUY ON 



REVIEW

I admit it. I had the HC copy of the book since 2016, yet I had to see the release of "A Crown of Wishes" in order to get into reading this book.
The pros of this lovely story are the world-building and the SE asian mythology. The glossary in the final pages of the book also helped me understand more about the creatures of this book. Just like in Wintersong, this book has a touch of Hades and Persephone in it with a glitter of reincarnation added too.

Maya is outcasted from her father's harem because of her ominous astrology. She is considered already dead by the wives and when they refer to her, they speak in the padt tense, which is horrible. When she meets Amar, under difficult circumstances, she will travel to him into the Underworld and discover the wild and dangerous beauty of it and the secrets hidden behind Amar's existence.

While I loved the plot, the romance felt a little forced and a little insta-love. But the journey Maya underwent till the end of the book proved to be the factor that made her a strong heroine who can save herself and her loved ones. She is smart, know how to bargain and despite her fears and faces them.

Roshani Chokshi's descriptions could also rival Laini Taylor's. Which says much about the world building. ;)




About the author:

Roshani Chokshi is the New York Times bestselling author of The Star-Touched Queen and the upcoming A CROWN OF WISHES, releasing March 28, 2017. Her work has appeared in Strange Horizons, Shimmer, and Book Smugglers. Her short story, "The Star Maiden," was longlisted for the British Fantasy Science Award.













Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads

Strange the Dreamer is the story of: 

the aftermath of a war between gods and men
a mysterious city stripped of its name
a mythic hero with blood on his hands
a young librarian with a singular dream
a girl every bit as perilous as she is imperiled
alchemy and blood candy, nightmares and godspawn, moths and monsters, friendship and treachery, love and carnage.

Welcome to Weep.






BUY ON 



REVIEW

I don't know how to describe this book! The sheer beauty of Laini's writing always make me feel like I'm part of the plot! The characters are always amazing! And CAN WE TALK ABOUT LAZLO? My sweet bookworm with the crooked nose! I loved his intelligence and curiosity, his vivid imagination! I think with Lazlo Laini described EVERY book lover out there! I want a boyfriend like him!

And the city of Weep! OMG, for a moment I felt like I've entered a Tolkien book! Not to mention, the history, the geography, the glossary and the mythology behind the world building! And the romance between Sarai and Lazlo! Beautiful and heart-breaking.

And there was also a cliffhanger! How will I wait for the next book! I'll definitely re-read this book!





About the author:

Hi! I write fantasy books. My latest is STRANGE THE DREAMER, about a young librarian, a mythic lost city, and the half-human children of murdered gods. Check it out :-) Before that I wrote the DAUGHTER OF SMOKE & BONE trilogy, which has been translated into 32 languages. It's about a blue-haired art student raised by monsters, a broken angel, and a war that has raged for 1000 years in another world. I also wrote LIPS TOUCH: THREE TIMES, which was a National Book Award finalist, and the DREAMDARK books. As well as various short stories and novellas.