Thirteen by Shannon Peel ~ Book Tour & Review

Book Description: 

An action packed blockbuster. Red Dawn meets 1984. The perfect book for kids 10-14, even those who don't like to read.

Jack wants to hang out with his friends but his mom's rules keep him grounded until they wake up to machine gun fire and everything has changed. Foreign soldiers have invaded his hometown cutting off power, shutting down communications, and restricting travel. To make matters worse, he doesn't know if his dad is alive, wounded, captured, or dead. He wants to find him, however, his mother doesn't care, the soldiers are in his way, and the cop who busted him is no help at all.

Feedback from a 92 year old great grandmother: My comment on it, is that Shannon did a wonderful job of writing Thirteen. It was well written, and the description of events was well thought out. It was exciting, scary at times, and sad as well. It's a book worth reading. -- OK so it was my 92 year old grandmother... 

Purchase Amazon.

About the Author: 

Shannon Peel grew up in Enderby, BC where her family's root run deep. Growing up where television was either non existent or very limited she relied on books & imagination to escape into the world beyond.

She went to UBC to study and earn a general studies BA with a concentration in Political Science and Economics. Macro analysis of world events, social justice and human motivations became a passion of hers. This passion is a driving force in all her stories, which have political, economic, and social justice undercurrents.

After a career in the financial field she decided to stay home and raise her two children until school age. In 2007 she return to the workforce as a sales / marketing / advertising professional. She currently resides in BC's Lower Mainland with her two teenage children.

THIRTEEN is her debut full size paperback novel. She also is the author of an adult fantasy series, JOURNIES IN ELADONIA, consisting of ebook novellas. http://shannonpeel.bravesites.com/

Review: 

First off, I love that this story is set in Canada. It is set in Vancouver near the American border. I am Canadian and love stories set here. This is the first book I have read from Shannon Peel and was very pleased with the authors writing. It flowed really well together and the author developed the backdrop without over doing it. I will admit that Jack (the main character) got on my nerves sometimes but I just kept reminding myself that is what a thirteen year old boy is like. They are coming into their manhood and moving away from needing mom. Jack lives with his mom full time and only sees his dad, who moved into the city, every second weekend. 

This book is one of my "broaden my genres" books and I was pretty impressed. I enjoyed it a lot. North Korea invades Canada and starts taking people to camps, the stadium and the arena depending on who they are. They ration food to the community and threaten to kill anyone who is caught with more food than they are allowed. Everyone has been given the rules and know the consequence for breaking them. With everything going on in the world today this story very well could be real. It is a YA novel and I would suggest it for 12 years and older because of the little violence in it. The are a few scenes when people are killed and Jack witnesses it.

The author had me hanging on to my kindle pretty tight at one spot when Jack, his mom, and cop Nick risk their lives to search for Jack's dad Jason. They need to cross boarders that the North Korean military have set up. Yikes! If you do not like cliffhangers you may want to wait to read this book as the reader is left wanting to know more. I actually said out loud "REALLY, ARGH!" while my husband sat beside me laughing as he knew it must have been a cliffhanger I had hit.

I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars and I recommend it to anyone who love YA action, war type books.

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Stop the Diet, I Want to Get Off! by Lisa Tillinger Johansen ~ Book Review & Tour

About the Book:Title: Stop the Diet, I Want To Get Off!
Genre: Nonfiction/Nutrition/Health

The Paleo.  The Zone.  The Gluten-free.  Another day, another diet.  We’re caught in a never-ending merry-go-round of weight loss plans, fueled by celebrity endorsers, TV doctors and companies angling for a piece of a $60 billion industry.  But do these diets really work?  And how healthy are they?

Registered Dietitian Lisa Tillinger Johansen examines dozens of the most wildly popular diets based on medical facts, not hype.  And along the way, she reveals tried-and-true weight loss strategies, relying on her years of hospital experience, weight-loss seminars and community outreach efforts.  With insight and humor, Stop The Diet, I Want To Get Off shows that the best answer is often not a trendy celebrity-endorsed diet, but easy-to-follow guidelines that are best for our health and our waistlines.
 
Stop the Diet, I Want to Get Off! is available at Amazon.

About the Author: 

LISA TILLINGER JOHANSEN, MS, RD is a Registered Dietitian who counsels clients on a wide range of health issues. Her debut nutrition book, Fast Food Vindication, received the Discovery Award (sponsored by USA Today, Kirkus and The Huffington Post).  She lives in Southern California. Her latest book is the nonfiction/nutrition/health book, Stop the Diet, I Want To Get Off!

Connect: Website | Goodreads | Twitter |

Review:

For anything wanting to learn more to make a healthy life style change to lose weight and keep it off this is a great book. The author gives us background on the fad diets and the ones that are workable compared to the ones that are unhealthy and will not achieve lasting weight loss. Lisa keeps this book light and easy to read. I find it isn't overly medical but she gives us lots of stats on research of different diets out there.

My favorite parts to this book is that portion control and choosing foods that are healthy but not limiting a food group is the way to go. I have been on a life style change the past year and have learned a lot on eating healthy raw foods instead of processed foods. I would love to learn more about eating vegan and Lisa touches on the subject of the many sub categories of vegetarian. This book is made for everyday people who are looking to get healthy.

I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.  


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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The Lost Girl by R.L. Stine ~ Book Review

Book Description: 

Generations of children and teens have grown up on R.L. Stine's bestselling and hugely popular horror series, Fear Street and Goosebumps. Now, the Fear Street series is back with a chilling new installment, packed with pure nightmare fodder that will scare Stine's avid fan base of teen readers and adults.

New student Lizzy Palmer is the talk of Shadyside High. Michael and his girlfriend Pepper befriend her, but the closer they get to her, the stranger she seems… and the more attractive she is to Michael. He invites her to join him on a snowmobile race that ends in a tragic accident. Soon, Michael's friends start being murdered, and Pepper becomes convinced that Lizzy is behind the killings. But to her total shock, she and Michael are drawn into a tragic story of an unthinkable betrayal committed over 60 years ago. Frightening and tense in the way that only this master of horror can deliver, The Lost Girl is another terrifying Fear Street novel by the king of juvenile horror.

Purchase a copy on Amazon. 

About the Author: 

Robert Lawrence Stine known as R. L. Stine and Jovial Bob Stine, is an American novelist and writer, well known for targeting younger audiences. Stine, who is often called the Stephen King of children's literature, is the author of dozens of popular horror fiction novellas, including the books in the Goosebumps, Rotten School, Mostly Ghostly, The Nightmare Room and Fear Street series.

R. L. Stine began his writing career when he was nine years old, and today he has achieved the position of the bestselling children's author in history. In the early 1990s, Stine was catapulted to fame when he wrote the unprecedented, bestselling Goosebumps® series, which sold more than 250 million copies and became a worldwide multimedia phenomenon. His other major series, Fear Street, has over 80 million copies sold.

Stine has received numerous awards of recognition, including several Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards and Disney Adventures Kids' Choice Awards, and he has been selected by kids as one of their favorite authors in the NEA's Read Across America program. He lives in New York, NY.

Connect: Website | Twitter | Goodreads |

Review: 

This is the first Fear Street novel I have read since the mid nineties. I used to read all the Fear Street and RL Stine books when they came out for about 6 or 7 years. I loved them! I was super excited to read this new one to see how they are now that I am an adult and have read some terrifying novels. I still love RL Stine books. The authors writing doesn't really feel like it has changed from what I remember except its moved along with the times of cell phones and such. 

This novel starts off in 1950 and then flashes forward to present day. It feels like you are reading two different stories until you start to put two and two together. The books are still scary (not as much now that I am not a preteen but I still really enjoyed it). There are some gruesome sections that had me cringing at the thought and they are really well described so you can really picture the events happening.  The author does a great job with developing his characters and describing the scenes that are taking place. I really like Michael and found him to be a pretty smart teenager for a boy but really wanted to smack him upside the head when they wanted to brush aside an incident that really needed to be reported. That's a horror story for you. 

The ending was a little off from what I was thinking it was going to end like but I did enjoy how the author wrapped the 1950's story and the present one together. 


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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The Snail's Castle by Mark Gordon ~ Book Review & Tour

The Snail's Castle by Mark Gordon 
 
Jake Milson wants one thing and one thing only--to win the coveted and prestigious Hollingshead Scholarship to do postgraduate work at Oxford. He intends to travel to England with his girlfriend, Rebecca. But a problem arises. Professor Gregory Percival keeps getting in his way. During Jake's struggle with Percival, the lives of Jake, Rebecca, Percival and Percival's wife, Margaret, intertwine. The novel, with its unexpected twists, draws you into the inner lives of its many captivating characters. It is a story of ambition, love, lust and revenge set against the backdrop of romantic Montreal in the early 1960's.

Purchase on Amazon. 

About the Author: 

Mark Gordon is a novelist and poet, born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

His published novels are The Snail's Castle, The Kanner Aliyah and Head of the Harbour. He is presently living in Toronto, Ontario, and teaches English to newcomers to Canada. He updates his information regularly at www.markgordonauthor.com

His poetry has been published in numerous literary journals in the United States and Canada, including Quiddity, Illuminations, Poet Lore, RiverSedge, The Fiddlehead, White Wall Review, Roanoke Review, and in the anthologies Arrivals: Canadian Poetry In The Eighties, The Northern Red Oak, and Bright Stars 5, an Organic Tanka Anthology. Online, his poetry has appeared in Linden Avenue Literary Journal and Versewrights

Connect: Goodreads | Amazon | Twitter |  

Review: 

Literary fiction at its best. Sometimes you find yourself reading a book and really feel that there isn't really anything to it. You can fly through it without any deep dialogue or thoughts from the characters, not really connecting with them at all. Mark Gordon's The Snail's Castle is not one of those books.

This novel was really well put together. The characters are well developed and I loved how they were all intricately entwined with each other. I found this to be a very deep book. I had to really immerse myself in the story to keep up to what was happening between the characters and where it was heading. I haven't read this genre lately but found myself deep in this book and wanting to follow the story without interruption. The characters are very easy to relate to. Jake is the main character and he is on a mission to attend Oxford and have his girlfriend Rebecca come along with him. Jake will do anything to achieve his goals for his future, even blackmail, sending his girlfriend into the professor’s office to see what he was looking for in the paper, which Jake received a C minus for. Jake knew of a rumor of Percival (Professor) having sex with his students and he still sent Rebecca in there.  At first I was thinking oh no not another affair type of story, but really once the story line developed more and more it really took a different approach to the topic altogether.

It follows Jake and a fraternity of Jewish boys in the early 1960's while they overcome obstacles of love, school and sexuality. This book will have you hooked. I love that it was set in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and that the story deals with trials of the time and trials that are still faced to this day. The Snail's Castle is a book that Percival gives out to both Rebecca and Jake. Each takes a different path with the novel. The author gives us snippets of the book within his book that are disturbing enough to give Jake nightmares.

I give The Snail's Castle by Mark Gordon a 5 out of 5. This is a book about life and has tons of substance. Deep and light there are paths we will take while others will not. I really had a hard time putting my thoughts into words for this review as the book had my mind all over the place with the story, but in a good way. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from Mark Gordon. 

Follow the Tour by Legit Lit Books! 

September 21 - Little Dutch Bookshop

September 22 - Working Mommy Journal 

September 23 - The Life of K
September 24 - Kristian Wilson, Writing

September 25 - A Read-aholic

September 28 - The Overflowing Shelf & Genuine Jenn   
September 29 - Seraphina's world 

September 30 - Cat in the Flock

October 1 - Cupcakes and Vodka Book Blog

October 2 - All Things Character It Is    

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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PC Nutrition First: Pet Health Tips

We have recently added to our four legged fur babies. We have added another hound to our family, his name is Buddy. Buddy is 6 years old and has been in a couple homes previous to finding his forever home with us and he girl Molly. Molly is our first hound and is now 3 years old. Both of them are a huge part of our family and we strive to feed them the best foods, vet visits and always looking for health tips to keep our babies happy and healthy for a very long time. 

PC Nutrition First wanted to share with Genuine Jenn readers some tips for our furry friends from celebrity dog trainer Harrison Forbes. Not only is he a pet lover, but he has also worked with A-list celebs like Katherine Heigl, Jane Lynch and Joanna Krupa on everything from their pet's behaviour to charity events and animal rights causes. He's a champion of happy, healthy dog and has dedicated his life to our canine companions. 

Perfecting Pet Health

Most of us can agree that leading a healthy, fulfilled life is all about balance. We strive to eat nourishing, delicious food, find a form of exercise we enjoy, broaden our horizons through lifelong learning and surround ourselves with people we love and trust. These fundamental building blocks to health and happiness are universally applicable – male, female, young or old; diet, exercise, education and socialization are essential for physical and emotional growth.

What many people don’t realize is that these basic principles apply to our pets too. To help Canadians celebrate their beloved fur babies and educate them about making nutritious choices on their behalf, the President’s Choice® Nutrition First® team has partnered with celebrity dog trainer Harrison Forbes. 

Whether you are a new or seasoned dog owner, check out Harrison’s tips for dogs of all ages!

Enjoy First-Class Fuel 

The number one contributor to a healthy lifestyle for pets and humans is diet. Like you, your pet should eat nutritious ingredients from all the essential food groups. Brands like President’s Choice® Nutrition First® make it easy for your pet to enjoy the same nutrient-rich foods you do by incorporating high-quality proteins as the main ingredient, along with wholesome grains, fruits and vegetables, pre and probiotics, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to nourish your pet’s body. 

Get Physical

Most pet behaviour problems are rooted in frustration. Like people, dogs get bored and anxious when they are under-exercised. Being a good pet parent means finding time to play with your dog. Whether focused on mental stimulation (for example, using “smart toys”) or physical exercise (like a walk in the park), interactive activities are crucial for a healthy, well-behaved pup.

Educate Early

When it comes to pet parenting, education is essential – for both of you. To effectively train your dog, you need to invest time in understanding his genetic history so you can design a program that takes advantage of his natural instincts. As your pup learns good conduct, don’t forget to recognize and reward his progress. Treats like President’s Choice® Nutrition First® Grain-Free Biscuits are a nutritious way to reinforce and reward behaviour, help him enjoy the training experience and fuel his body.

Seek Out Puppy Pals

Taking your dog out on the town is key to teaching him how to interact with other people and animals. Just like human babies, dogs needs time to learn what they can and cannot do around others, and exposing them to other pets is a great way to help them establish relationships and learn to enjoy
spending time with furry friends. Plus, having a dog on your arm is a great way to meet like-minded friends!

Stay tuned for more pet information from our friends at 

PC Nutrition First. 

 

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Once Upon a Zombie {Book 1} by ~ Book Promo & Giveaway {Worldwide}

This is the 150th Anniversary of Alice in Wonderland. The authors of Once Upon a Zombie Book One The Color of Fear would like to give readers of Genuine Jenn a chance at winning an autographed copy of the book & a Once Upon a Zombie Alice fashion doll! 

 RULES:

 WATCH THE VIDEO HERE!

(or watch all 6 zombie sightings at www.unexplainablenews.com)

 Submit your answer explaining the connection

linking all these graveyards together. 

  Correct answers will be entered in a raffle. 
Giveaway open Worldwide

Good Luck!!! 

Book Description:

Unexplainablenews.com is reporting strange phenomena in cemeteries in Scotland, Germany, Italy, and America. Only one individual knows what's happening - and why! This person also knows the one girl who can prevent an unspeakable and imminent catastrophe from taking place. But will she? When Caitlin Fletcher's mom disappeared (or left?) four years ago, Caitlin began suffering from breathless bouts of anxiety. Her new move to London, with her Dad and her brainiac sister, threatens to lead to more situations that will trigger panic. Now, she's having anxiety over the possibility of having anxiety! Caitlin's life takes a turn for the bizarre when she's tricked into climbing down a "rabbit hole", landing in a wondrous fairy tale universe - except it's crawling with savage, starving blood-eyed zombies. But what's scarier - a blood thirsty zombie, a panic attack....or the painful truth?!

Pre-order your copy on Amazon.   
 
 Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | Twitter |

Review: Keep an eye out for my review in October! I can't wait to get into this book!

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received a copy of the above book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Framed and Burning - Vote to Get It Published!

Are you looking for a mystery thriller series to cozy down with? 

Framed and Burning is the second novel in the award-winning series Dreamslippers by Lisa Brunette. 

A gift with limitations...and consequences. 

A couple of PIs with the ability to "slip" into another person's dreams find themselves defending one of their own. Someone sets fire to Mick Travers’ studio, killing his assistant, and Mick won't give an alibi. Eccentric Granny Grace and her level-headed granddaughter Cat hope to prove his innocence and hunt down the real killer. Will they discover that a jealous rival was out to destroy Mick’s art—and reputation? Or is something even darker behind the arson and murder?

Kirkus Reviews describes the first novel, Cat in the Flock, as "a mystery with an unusual twist and quirky settings; an enjoyable surprise for fans of the genre." 

The Dreamslippers Series is about a family of PIs with the ability to "slip" into another person's dreams. They find it's a gift with limitations... and consequences.  

About the Author: 

Lisa Brunette is author of the Dreamslippers mystery series, winner of an indieBRAG medallion and praised by Kirkus Reviews, Midwest Book Review, and others. Brunette is a career writer with a long list of newspaper and magazine bylines and story design credits in hundreds of bestselling video games. She holds an MFA from University of Miami, where she was a Michener Fellow. Her short stories and poetry have appeared in magazines and won her numerous awards.
 
Connect: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook |

Check out Kindle Scout and VOTE for Framed and Burning by Lisa Brunette to get it Published!

What is Kindle Scout? 

It is a reader-powered publishing for new, never-before-published books. Readers get to decide if a book gets published by Kindle Press. 

How can you help the author get their book(s) published? 

By voting for the book(s) you would like to see published. You can nominate up to 3 books at a time. Each book has 30 days for votes. 

What do the readers get for voting? 

As a Thank You from Kindle Scout and the authors you support, you will receive an early free copy of all the books you nominated that are published.

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Real Ways Moms Can Work from Home by Mandie Stevens ~ Book Promo & Giveaway!

 

If you could change your life for less than $5 would you?

It's true--you can stay home with your children and still earn money! Work-at-home businesses are on the rise, and Mandie Stevens has been living this life for almost ten years.

Do you need to pay for dance lessons for your kids? Do you want to pay off credit card debt? Or do you need full-time income? You can do it. Find out how to get started with this book.

Purchase on Amazon / Barnes and Noble / iBooks / Kobo

Amazon Review - This book has websites and gives help as to how to build your audience. For someone like me it has to be dumbed down enough for me to understand and I had no problem following her how to’s. Other how to books lose me, they offer so much information that after a while it all seems Chinese to me. This book was point on and she tells it to you straight, you have to put yourself out there if you want to get something out of it.

Amazon Review - It gives real life tips and advice on how you can get started including websites you can visit. This is not a get rich quick scheme, but honest to goodness ways you can start a business from the comfort of your own home. The author does not sugar coat anything by saying it's easy and will just fall into your lap. She lets you know you have to work for it, but shows that it can be achieved. The book includes her testimony as well as that of several others who have been successfully doing this for years. This book is the real deal.

About the Author: 

Mandie Stevens has always been accused of living in her own world so she decided to put it to paper. When she isn’t writing you can catch her lounging on the beach reading. Mandie has penned both non-fiction and urban fantasy. She has ridiculously little feet and would be happy eating seafood every day.

Want a little extra help starting a blog? Check out this giveaway. OPEN WORLDWIDE. Must be 18+

Fill out the form below to enter to win. Ends 10/5

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Taking the Ice (Ice Series Book #3) by Jennifer Comeaux ~ Book Review & Giveaway Tour!

Series: Ice #3

Release date: August 17th 2015

Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Olympic rings and an engagement ring.

Courtney Carlton is ready for both.

She and her boyfriend Josh have skated together and dated for four years, and they’ve reached a critical point in their partnership both on and off the ice. With the Winter Games coming up and their career nearing an end, they are fighting to win a spot on the Olympic team, something Courtney has dreamed of since she was ten years old.

She also has another wish she hopes comes true soon. She’s waiting for a marriage proposal from Josh that she expected to happen by now. Will she realize either dream or will her heart be broken from disappointment?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer Comeaux is a tax accountant by day, writer by night. There aren’t any ice rinks near her home in south Louisiana, but she’s a die-hard figure skating fan and loves to write stories of romance set in the world of competitive skating. One of her favorite pastimes is traveling to competitions, where she can experience all the glitz and drama that inspire her writing.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | 

Follow the rest of the tour. 

Review:

Another great book in the Ice Series. I was so excited to read this book and follow Courtney & Josh on their journey to skate at the Olympics. That has been both of their dreams for years and even more so as they have become a couple on and off the ice. These stories do really need to be read in order but they are super easy and quick reads. I have read both of Jennifer Comeaux figure skating series.  I love how they are a nice clean romance when you want a light fun read, a YA love story. I also love the figure skating books! The author does a fabulous job of getting you into the story, and feeling the characters emotions. I always feel like I can really imagine the skating performances while they are happening. I really like the main characters in this series and find myself starting to like Josh's sister Stephanie in this one. All the character has really grown up and so how mature they are now.

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received the above book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Girl Wife Prisoner (A Good Wife #1) by Hanna Peach ~ Book Review

Book Description:

How far would you go to set yourself free?

Drake Blackwell is successful, controlling, and hiding a violent family past. He just made his latest investment: Noriko.

Imported from Japan, alone, and wed to a stranger, Noriko struggles to stick to the Rules of a Good Wife. Drake can’t seem to love her, not the way she wants to be loved. She dreams of freedom beyond the gates of Blackwell Manor.

She meets Keir, a passionate young gardener who shares her desire to break free. He gets under her skin and ignites a fire in her she has never felt before. In the midst of her quiet desperation she thinks she has found happiness. And a glimpse of hope.

But this affair can't last...can it?

Although part of a series, this is a standalone novel with no cliffhanger.
WARNING: For ages +18. There are scenes in this novel that infer or allude to physical violence.

Purchase a copy on Amazon. 

About the Author: 

Hanna is the bestselling author of the Bound romantic suspense series and the Dark Angel fantasy series. Although she writes in more than one genre she can’t write a book without weaving together a complicated plot and filling it with twists. She writes what she believes: good people can do bad things, ordinary people can do great things, and choose love above everything.

Eternally restless, Hanna has lived in Indonesia, Australia, Germany, Scotland, England, Croatia and Ireland - everything she owns fits into one suitcase. She's planning her next move with her gorgeous (and understanding) partner right now. If not writing, she can be found wandering a dusty market in Marrakesh or trekking a mountain in Peru, often using her travels as settings in her novels.

Connect: Website | Goodreads | Twitter |

Review: 

HOOKED from the start! This is the first book I have read of Hanna Peach and I just love her writing. It flows perfectly keeping the reader wanting more and more. I felt like I was there with Keir and Noriko through their love triangle. The passion that drips off these two characters is just unbelievable. It is an emotional roller coaster, one minute you are feeling sadness for Noriko, rage against Drake and passion when Keir gets involved. I am totally team Keir. I usually don't find myself falling so hard for a character but I couldn't help falling for Keir. Noriko's character is so complex, the author has you really getting into Noriko's head while following this story. I didn't think the turn of events would happen, I can't tell you but you really really need to read this book. It is a look into mail order brides and also a passionate love story between two people that shouldn't fall in love. There are some negative scenes in this story as their are abusive, physically & emotionally but then there are some very hot sex scenes. This is NOT a clean romance at all.  

I powered through this book as I couldn't put it down. When I had to I was dying to pick it up and get back into the story. I was so very sad to see this come to an end but happy that the story isn't quite over yet. There is more....

I give this book a 5 out of 5, can I give it a 6 out of 5? This has been by far my favorite romance novel and I can't wait to read on.
  

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received a copy of the above book for review purpose. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Destruction (The War of the Democratic Coalition, #1) by Eric Mrozek ~ Book Review

Book Description:

With the passing of the summer solstice, the United Kingdom of Callista has come together to celebrate the independence of their nation and the continuation of the Age of Illumination. Like many in the capital of Agosia, Helisah Almari is looking forward to a new year, the possibility of a new love, and the beginning of her studies at the Royal College with her twin brother, Aegras. As the Royal Light Show begins, the joy of the young elf soon turns to horror as the Telurian Lord Thrakoth launches a surprise attack that plunges the city into chaos.

In a matter of hours, the world that Helisah knew was gone. Agosia has fallen. Death reigns supreme. Helisah and Aegras are cornered by the Telurian hordes as a city burns around them. It appears that no hope remains for the twins until they are suddenly rescued by a team of assassins known only as The Raiders.

Consumed by a burning rage over all that they have lost, Helisah and Aegras are inducted into the mysterious order as an apocalyptic war breaks out across the world. Joined by their fellow Raiders and a band of citizens that dare to resist the invasion, Helisah and Aegras must find a way to thwart the grand design of Thrakoth and his rising empire by any means necessary.

Purchase a copy on Amazon. 

About the Author: 

Eric Mrozek is the author of the Maereath series of novels and an ardent pop culture junkie that currently resides in Michigan. When he is not busy plotting out his next story, he can typically be found in the great outdoors, at a microbrewery, or shouting about whatever catches his fancy on his website.

Connect: Website | Goodreads | Twitter |

Review:

I don't normally read sci-fi fantasy but I have made a promise to myself last year to work on reading some genres that I haven't read before or only read a few of. I will admit to really enjoying this book. It is written by the main character, Helisah. A strong female character. She and her brother Aegras are on a journey to save back their land after an invasion. At first I was a little confused on who was who and what place was what. There are tons of different names in this book and they threw me off a bit. Helisah is telling the story in a form of her dairy. She write about her journey of learning to protect herself and fight in battle. Then she is sent on her first mission to prove if she is ready for battle. Helisah also falls in love with a Captain during her travels. I found the book to be actually a pretty light read, I didn't feel that is took me into the story to deep but enough that I wanted to know how Helisah does and if they win their battle. I love also how the author the telepath into the story between the siblings.

I give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars. I loved the strong female characters within the novel, there actually were a lot of females in the battle fields. The reason I can't give it a 4 was that I would have loved a bit more depth in character development at the start. Also the fact that I was totally lost on who was an elf, dwarf or human and which place was what. That could have just been me though as this is really one of the first novels in this genre for me. I would read book two to see what happens next with Helisah as I did find myself liking her character a lot. For a battle book I found this to be okay for preteens, there really wasn't any gruesome violent scenes.


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Team Niklas by Ally Adams ~ Book Tour Excerpt

Title: Team Niklas

Author: Ally Adams

Release date: September 7th, 2015

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tour: Irresistible Reads Book Tours

In his hometown of Berlin, Germany, Niklas Wagner is a super star and when the Saints’ pay the big bucks to sign him up and bring him to Santa Ana, California, Nik takes a shine to his new life. When he meets the Saints’ media officer, Sasha Saxon, sparks fly literally.

But Sasha is not your average girl—by day she is a journalist who looks after the media for the national champion soccer team and at night she designs for her personal fashion label. She had big dreams and they don’t include a boyfriend. Nik has never had to chase the girls but now he has met his match—Sasha is about to lead him on the biggest chase of his life.

Goodreads

Book Excerpt:

“Stop moving or I’ll accidently put it in the wrong place,” I ordered Nik. You would think a guy who had done military conscription at home in Berlin, and stood at attention for long periods of time in all sorts of weather, could stand still for a few minutes.

“Sah-sha, is it even possible to put it in the wrong place?” he asked, with a raised eyebrow. I couldn’t help but smile—the way he said my name with his German accent always caught my attention; it started like sarsaparilla and finished like a dance.

Niklas Wagner, star midfielder for the national soccer team the Santa Ana Saints, had come to me for a suit adjustment—yep by day I was the media officer for the Saints and by night I designed; it was my hobby-cum-passion. Nik was standing in front of me wearing only the black suit pants and the jacket, no shirt—I could see all those well-developed abdominal muscles just waiting to be touched and I wouldn’t mind tracing those grooves with my tongue either, up and down, tight and tense. Is it getting hot in here? Then I accidently did what I had been threatening, jabbed him with a pin.

“Ouch,” he yelped and stepped back.

“See? What did I tell you? Stand at attention,” I barked.

He stiffened and stood straight… for about five seconds.

“Okay, you’re done, get it off.”

He grinned again. I swear everything I said had a sexual connotation to this guy. He extended his hand like a gentlemen and helped me off the floor. Phew that was a rush, coming up past his bulge, then past the muscles in his bare chest and standing full height with my hand feeling so small in his. I think I just orgasmed. I looked away quickly.

“Thanks, you can let my hand go now,” I said, he did so slowly, running his fingers up my palm.

About the Author: 

Ally Adams is a journalist who lives in coastal Victoria, Australia with her husband and furry friends. She is a literature major, romance reader and writer.

Official Website 

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~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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The Art of Deception: A Novella by Christine E. McLean ~ Book Review

Book Description:

Mark finally had everything he could dream of – the perfect woman, friends and family who loved him, and a career-changing story at the newspaper about the mayor’s mistress and his seedy backroom deals. Little did Mark know that his big break was about to take a sinister turn when his girlfriend was kidnapped right before his story was to be published. Unbeknownst to Mark, the mayor was a member of a secret society that had been running the city for decades and would stop at no lengths to protect both its members and itself.

In a thrilling world where no one is what they seem, and every character is at the mercy of the all-powerful organization known only as “The Society”, will our hero be able to untangle the web of deception and save the love of his life in time? Through dangerous twists and turns in this new world obsessed with power, wealth, and secrecy, Mark must rely on his friends, and his own sheer determination, to take back the woman he loves from the evil grips of The Society. Part love story, part mystery and part thriller, The Art of Deception will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you begging for the sequel.

Purchase a copy on Amazon. 

About the Author: 

Writing is my passion that I really began to hone about 2 years ago. I enjoy touching hearts and engaging minds with the words I craft. Being Jamaican has blessed me with wonderful experiences that have helped me become the dedicated and hard working person I am today. I love my country and I love my passion. You can check out my blog christinemclean10.wordpress.com to see more of my work.

Review: 

This is the first published novella by the author and I feel she did a great job with it. I would like to have seen it as a novel instead of a novella as I feel it has a great story line and could have been taken deeper into it. With that being said the characters are all very strong and well developed for a novella. If you love mystery/who dun it type this is a great story. It is a fast paced story with tons of twists and turns that will keep you hooked until the very end. The characters were all intertwined together having you wonder who knows who and who will be next on the list for the Society. 

I give this novella a 4 out of 5 stars and I look forward to reading more work from this author. 


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received the above book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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