Friday, January 24, 2014

Cover Release for My Soul For You

My Soul For You by Airicka Phoenix

Title: My Soul For you
Author: Airicka Phoenix
Publisher: Fire & Ice Publishing
Release Day: March 7, 2014
Genre: New Adult Contemporary, Thriller with strong elements of Romance
Warnings: Language and sexual content
Formats: eBook & Paperback
Stalker Links:


SYNOPSIS
You are cordially invited to have your heart’s desire come true.
For Kaitlin Claremont this is a very tall order. What wouldn’t an orphan girl living over of her aunt’s shop wish for? But when her one night of magic and passion in the arms of a man that is as out of her reach as he is gorgeous turns into curdling screams and dead bodies, Katie quickly realizes that her wish came with strings, a debt she must repay or die. But can she take a life to save her own or can she find those responsible and stop them before it’s too late?
Kaleb O’Reilly has one goal, finish his internship, get his credits and graduate. His freedom can’t start until he does. But nothing prepares him for the brown-eyed beauty he just can’t seem to get out of his head no matter how many times he tells himself she’s off-limits. Kaleb can’t deny he wants her in a way that very much complicates everything. But what happens when the hunger wins and everyone he loves becomes a pawn to a deadly game? Can he turn his back on Katie to save his family or will he fight to save the girl?
Time is running out. Will they kill or be killed?


AUTHOR BIO



Best-Selling author Airicka Phoenix lives in rainy British Columbia with her beautiful family. When she's not pounding away at the keyboard, she can be found reading, shining her collection of daggers or chilling with her kids.

She is the author of the Touch Saga, The Sons of Judgment Saga, The Lost Girl Series, Betraying Innocence and Games of Fire.

Airicka also writes adult paranormal & contemporary romance under her alter ego, Morgana Phoenix. Her first novel, Capture Me, will be out 2014.

For more about Airicka, visit her website at:
http://airickaphoenix.com/Author/

-Brenda Franklin, author of The Pulse Trilogy

Blog Blitz: Living Separate Lives

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Title – Living Separate Lives
Author – Paulette Harper
Genre – Christian Fiction
Publication Date – Nov 10, 2013
Length (Pages/# Words) – 22,000
Publisher – Thy Word Publishing
Cover Artist – Tyora Moody
Living_Separate_Lives_FINAL front

BOOK SYNOPSIS
Four Friends, One Secret and The Weekend That Changed Their Destiny

Candace Walker, Kaylan Smith, Jordan Tate, and Tiffany Thomas have their share of sorrows, but neither of them realizes how deep the sorrow goes. What happens when they agree to meet for a weekend of relaxation in beautiful Napa County? Which one will leave the same or worse?
For Candace Walker, life has left her battered and bruised. Kaylan Smith has struggled with prejudice from her in-laws. After fifteen years of marriage, bitterness is trying to raise its ugly head for Jordan Tate, whose husband wants to call it quits. And for Tiffany Thomas, dealing with rejection has never been one of her greatest feats.
Although they have been friends for years, they thought they knew each other well. But will a secret destroy their relationship and bring the sisterhood to a complete halt? Will they be able to forgive and allow God to mend that which might be torn?

BUY & TBR LINKS

Amazon Kindle Link | Amazon Paperback Link | Barnes & Nobles Nook Link

Barnes & Nobles Paperback Link | Goodreads Link



EXCERPT
The day that Jordan discovered the text message, she slid on a jogging suit and a white, long-sleeve shirt, and hurried out the house in an effort to escape the pain she had experienced. She called Tiffany to let her know she was on her way over. She got into her car and gripped the steering wheel as tightly as she could. She pulled out of the garage and headed towards Tiffany’s house to relieve some stress. Driving down the road, she could only pray that God would give her the strength to face Eric and make the necessary decisions that needed her attention.
Her eyes filled with tears as the honks of other cars managed to interrupt her thoughts of the trauma she was now in. She weaved in and out of the traffic, not knowing what direction her car was taking her. The whispers in her ears kept speaking louder and louder the more she drove. She steered her car until the weeping became so bad that she could not drive anymore. She pulled her car into the nearest lot and parked in the first available stall. Her body was shaking. She prayed that she would make it to Tiffany’s house in one piece.
She reached into the glove compartment and found some tissue to clean herself. Who was this woman Eric was seeing behind her back? She couldn’t imagine being married all this time and not knowing the double life her husband was living. She felt like a complete fool.
How did we get here? The question echoed through her head. As far as she was concerned, her life was going well. She had a great job and a great husband, so she thought. She had a good church, wonderful friends and two beautiful kids. Now, with a snap of a finger, in a moment’s time, her life had changed.
The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to explode. Her cheeks were flushed as the blood inside her began to boil. Thoughts of revenge bombarded her mind. Maybe one of those stories on Lifetime could give her an idea of how to get even. She wished she could poison his food or hit him with a bat and get away with it, but she knew she couldn’t, because her convictions would not let her. Her brain was telling her one thing and her heart the complete opposite.

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AUTHOR BIO
Paulette Harper is an award-winning and best-selling author. She is the owner of Write Now Literary Virtual Book Tours and is passionate about helping authors succeed in publishing and marketing their books. Paulette has been writing and publishing books since 2008. Paulette is the author of That Was Then, This is Now, Completely Whole and The Sanctuary. Her articles have appeared on-line and in print.

STALK THE AUTHOR HERE

Amazon Author Page | Website/Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Google+

Pinterest | Goodreads | LinkedIn

GIVEAWAY 5 ebook copies

CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE AUTHORS GIVEAWAY

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-I hope you enjoy and all that you read inspires you and ignites your imagination-
-Brenda Franklin, author of The Pulse Trilogy.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Featuring artist Trinitee

A very kind person, Trinitee, shared with me the website Sharpie.com and I was blown away. Here they were, people who created art with sharpies! I don’t feel so alone anymore. Though my things are doodles in comparison I want to show you a few of the works I have fallen in love with by EmiNickel, who has kindly agreed to let me interview her.

Interview:
Hello, I'm Trinitee Dunn and I'm a 38 yr old Stay-at-Home-Mom to my two girls.  I love to laugh, smile and have a good time. I have a serious PEN addiction and I should wear a shirt that says "I Sharpies!"  When I'm not chasing my kids around and drawing, I love to read and do crafts of all kinds.
Go to her page HERE
http://www.sharpie.com/enUS/Pages/UserProfile.aspx?uid=49005092


When did you first start drawing and what was it?
I first began to draw in the 5th grade. I remember for Christmas that year asking for a real artist sketch pad and pens.  When I opened that gift on Christmas morning it sent me on my way to where I am today. I now have many sketch books full of my creations.

Where do you find inspiration from?
My inspiration comes from my everyday life and it's usually something as simple as seeing colors on a shirt or seeing a pretty sunset, flower....anything really.  Ideas come to me all the time.

When was the first time you used a Sharpie and what was your first piece of Sharpie art?

I began using Sharpie pens for drawings just this past summer.  Bright flowers and patterns are my passion. Most of my works are bright giant flowers that I call Eminickel Flowers.   Eminickel is a play on my oldest daughter’s name.  (Emi Nicole, she always said Emi Nickel and that's how why I call them Eminickel Flowers)


What are your procedures for creating each of your works? What material do you use? And how long does each piece of art take?

I like to use many kinds of pens, mostly Sharpie.  I also use Pilot pens, Staedtler fine line dry safe pens and Papermate Flair pens.  I like using mixed media art paper because my colors don't bleed threw the paper.   I do most of my work on my living room couch but I do have a tiny desk tucked in a room in my basement just for me.  Most of my artwork takes me between 3-5 hours to complete.

What is your favorite color to use and why?
I love to use the colors Yellow, Orange, Green and Pink the most because those colors make me happy. I like to draw pictures that when I look at them, I feel happy!!

What was your favorite piece of art?

My favorite picture I ever drew was back in 2000. It took me a few days to do. I used a black Pilot pen and just started drawing flowers. No real idea in mind what I wanted to draw... I added an eye to the picture and in the end, the picture looked like the side view of a face. It was intended to look that way. I thought it was super cool. It hangs in my art room to this day.

Some of my Sharpie works can be found on Sharpie.com. My profile name is Eminickel. (Or just click on the name)

Thank you so much Trinitee for answering my questions and being a part of my blog. I look forward to your future artworks!
-Brenda Franklin

Monday, January 20, 2014

Book Review: Willow

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Book Title: Willow
Author: Julia Hoban.
Genre: Young adult fiction

Willow Randall lives with her bother who is a professor and late at night he can be heard crying in the arms of his wife with the struggle of life and a new born. She works at the campus library. She isn’t social. She is seventeen. She is a cutter. And above all else she killed her parents.

Seven months ago during a rainy March night Willow was driving her parent’s home after they had a couple of drinks. Willow lost control of the car and lost both of her parents and from then forward changed schools, changes to an apartment with her brother’s family, and tried to overcome her pain in silence with a small razor as her escape.

That’s how she functioned until Guy stepped into her life. They shared a lot of similarities and the day he finds out she is a cutter is the day he not only throws a huge fit and tries to tell her brother, but it is also the day is promises to keep it their secret and make it his mission to try and help her in his own way.

This book is emotional, powerful, uplifting, and filled with love. It’s about communication between siblings through hard times, overcoming what feels like the impossible, and above all else finding love and support when you feel you are alone. That was my interpretation of this book.

I loved the struggle her brother feels about having to have his sister under his roof as he tries to have a family. He’s young and wants his life to flourish but knows he has to put her needs first and it drags him down to feel that way. He loves her so much. And the struggle Guy feels for Willow, the responsibility he feels he has towards her was sweet and heart wrenching at the same time. When he first learns about what she does he can’t understand her. It’s hard for anyone to swallow that kind of realization about another you care for and he instantly feels that he has to look out for her a bit.

I’ve read it three times front to back and several more times just my favorite scenes. This is a story I will never forget and if I do (amnesia or something) then that means I will enjoy it that much more the next time I read it.

I give Julia Hoban’s Willow 5 out of 5.


Brenda Franklin, author of the Pulse Trilogy.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Books I have to read in 2014

My goal, again, is to read 52 books at least and review them. I'm going to accomplish this and then some!! I can feel it in my bones!

Here are some on my list:


1.) All of the House of Night novels 2-11. I even have them sitting beautifully on my shelf waiting for my to start. After finishing the first I knew I was stuck.

Basic set up:
The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres have always existed.  In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire -- that is, if she makes it through the Change.  Not all of those who are chosen do.  It's tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling.  She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx.  But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers.  When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampyre friends.


187517042.) Anything and everything Diana Nixon. That woman never stops writing and producing some very great work and I'm hoping it will be another Love Lines book, but until then she has The Souls of Rain coming out.

Blurb:

The secrets of the heavens had always been carefully guarded. Until one day when the angels realized that what they used to believe in was nothing but a cruel game between heaven and hell.
And Claire’s life is a part of that game too….
She is a guardian angel. She always thought that her existence was perfect. But perfection is a very relative term, and no one is protected from making mistakes.
Everything changes the moment Claire gets a new assignment. Guarding humans has never been easy, and this time won’t be an exception.
Alan Rosenford is a spoilt party-boy, whose life is a hurricane of risk and adrenaline rush. His soul is damaged, his heart is bleeding, and there are so many things he prefers to keep private….
The words they have never said before ….
The sins they have never committed….
How much does forgiveness of the heavens cost?
Or maybe even the heavens make mistakes?...



64873083.) Fallen by Lauren Kate. Yes, I am one of the few people who hasn't read it, sue me.

Synopsis:

There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce – he goes out of his way to make that very clear. But she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, Luce has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret...even if it kills her.

Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, FALLEN is a page-turning thriller and the ultimate love story.

63396644.) Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Synopsis:
A SACRED OATH
A FALLEN ANGEL
A FORBIDDEN LOVE


Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life




15829965.) City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare. Did you know that Cassandra Clare is a pen name? Just wondering. Another random bit of information is that Anne Rice's real name is Howard.

Synopsis:


Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.



1221336.) The Pit Dragon Trilogy by Jane Yolen.

Synopsis:
The adventures of young dragon master Jakkin Stewart are brilliantly chronicled in this epic fantasy--from his apprenticeship in Dragon's Blood, to his breathtaking escape with his beloved Akki in Heart's Blood, and straight through to their harrowing discovery in the third volume, A Sending of Dragons. Revered by devoted fans for more than twenty years, these first three volumes of Jane Yolen's fierce and fiery dragon tales are published together for the first time--in a handsome boxed set that's sure to win over legions of new admirers.


Here are some I have to wait for (I hate waiting):



135082201.) Dark Bites by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Release Date: January 21, 2014

Synopsis:
For years, eager fans have been clamoring for an all-in-one collection of #1 bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon’s novellas. At their enthusiastic behest, we have delivered this brand-new short story collection, including stories previously exclusive to Sherrilyn’s website, as well as an all-new, never-before seen story!

Sherrilyn Kenyon takes readers from the Dark-Hunters to the demigods, from Dream-Hunters to demons, and everything in between. Dangerous and exciting, each story is one thrill ride after the next, proving time and again how Sherrilyn has captivated millions of readers worldwide. Now, readers are invited to go deep into Kenyon’s rich and imaginative world and experience the heart-racing moments that never stop coming!


2.) Born of Fury by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Release Date: July 1, 2014

Synopsis:
The war is on...

Counted among the fiercest Andarion warriors ever born, Hauk is one of the five founding members of the Sentella- an organization that has declared war on the League that rules the Ichidian universe with an iron fist and terrifies it with an army of well-trained assassins. Hauk's enemies are legion, but he fears nothing and no one. He will do whatever it takes to survive and protect his Sentella brethren.

Sumi Antaxas is one of the best assassins the League has ever trained. In her world, failure is not an option and she has never met a target she couldn't execute. So when she's assigned Hauk, she believes it'll be a quick and easy mission.

But nothing is ever as simple as it seems, and Hauk is far better trained and skilled than his dossier shows. More than that, as she pursues him, she stumbles upon the key that will bring down not only Hauk, but the entire Sentella organization.

In the race to report her information, she is overtaken by enemies out to end her as effectively as she intends to end Hauk. Now her only key to survival is the one man she's been sent to kill. And Hauk doesn't trust her at all.

The only question is, will he help her to live... or send her to her grave.


180528713.) Vampire Most Wanted by Lynsay Sands
Release Date: February 18, 2014

Synopsis:
For Basha Argeneau, anything is better than facing her estranged family. Even hiding out in sweltering southern California. But when a sexy immortal in black shows up determined to bring her back to the clan, she'll do anything to keep far, far away from the past she can't outrun.

Marcus Notte isn't here to play games—especially not with someone as crazy as the infamous blonde. Asked by Lucian Argeneau to bring her back for questioning, Marcus is determined to carry out Lucian's request—no matter how the seductive little mind-reading vamp feels about it.

Basha doesn't mind fighting fire with fire, especially with a hot immortal involved. But if he wants to take her away, he'll have to catch her first . . .

4.) Redeemed (HoN 12) by P.C. Cast
Not much known yet, but I'll keep you posted. :)

These are just a few of the books I am looking forward to reading and I'm always up for suggestions.
Have a great day.

-Brenda Franklin, author of The Pulse Trilogy and Guardian, A Fated Pairing

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Book review: Born of Ice by Sherrilyn Kenyon

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I have not yet read any of the other League books by Sherrilyn but she took me for a wonderful ride. The story moves pretty fast, but is easy enough to follow. There were a few moments when I had no idea what was going to happen next and I love it! I was at the edge of my seat asking the characters what were they going to do and hoping that Devyn didn’t actually throw Alix out the airlock for what she has to do to try and save her sister and mother--who are in prison and with a time restraint on their lives.

Alix, a  slave, must gain enough of Devyn’s trust to frame him and get him arrested because a long time ago his father-a very bad man (and I mean that in the kindest terms because he is such a badass awesome character)-turned in evidence that ruined Merjack’s ancestry and he wants his revenge. Devyn fits the bill.

Devyn is deadly and I swear there is no part of his blood that isn’t filled with assassin, martial arts badass, and all around kind hearted man who is, not only a pilot, but a doctor. Come on Sherrilyn, I mean really, can you make a less perfect man. And to top it off Devyn got blacklisted (if you will) because he saved a boy who was going to die nine years before the first chapter takes place. I can’t get enough of his character and I wish there was more fighting so I can see him in action, so to speak.

Alix was a great pairing for this fighter and with her past she could definitely use a man like him. She’s been treated like trash by her father who gave her to his crew for entertainment and didn’t even know what true pleasure was. She has done what she can to protect her family and now that her father is dead she still can’t be free unless she frames Devyn, a man who she is falling hard for and for the first time has treated her like a human being. Even after he finds out what she is up too he still becomes the honorable man he is and works to help her free her family, but the price is high.

This book is a bit shorter than a few of the other books by her, but it’s filled to the brim with everything I love out of a good book. A great story line, sexy men, dangerous characters, a heated romance scene (or two…), and an overall plot that keeps me wanting more!

Of course I give it a five out of five.


-Brenda Franklin, author of paranormal romance The PulseTrilogy and Guardian, A Fated Pairing.

Friday, January 10, 2014

Book Review: Marked by P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast

30183Marked is the first of 12 (so far the 12th coming out October 2014) books to this fast read of a series starring Zoey redbird as human turned vampire fledgling. The beginning of the book we see the normal everyday life of Zoey until she is marked with the outline of a crescent moon. This mark forces her to leave school and everything familiar behind to join the House of Night school where she was develop her fledgling ability as a vampire, though it will takes years, at any time a person’s body could begin to reject the turn and within hours they are dead. Supposedly…

Joining House of Night isn’t so bad. Zoey is quick to make friends, loves most of her unusual classes, and finds an odd sense of belonging there, but what she doesn’t understand is why she was hand selected as the ‘eyes and ears’ by the Goddess of Night, Nyx, herself, in a vision that she shares with no one, not even the High Priestess.

As you follow along with Zoey you are pulled into the world of vampires, magic, and the unknown. It was a good read and I give it four out of five stars.

As much as I loved this book and the thought out details in every aspect to the world: the influences of Wiccan, pagan, and Cherokee (which is in my blood), the controversy between the People of the Faith and Vampires, and a school that I would really love to be a part of, I was a little taken aback by the amount of swear words and sexual content. I’m normally not bothered at all by such things, but remembering that this is a YA I think some people will be surprised by the amount that’s present. Not to mention after the tenth pop culture reference I was getting a little tired of it, but it doesn’t take away from the plot of the story. It helps sets you into the teenage mind of their world.
All in all, it was a great read and I have to say I have become a fan. I will defiantly have to continue reading and review each book until the very last page!

-Brenda Franklin, author of the Pulse Trilogy and Guardian, A Fated Pairing.


Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Out with the Old and in with the New! 2014

It’s officially 01/01/14. It is the first day of the new year! Can you believe it?

It feels like only yesterday it was January 2013. I have met some amazing people, started working again, published a few works, and started plenty of new projects to keep me busy during 2014.

It’s time to raise our glasses and remember all the good, the bag, and all that we have accomplished and overcome in the year that is about to end. To look forward with our heads held high, our heart filled with adventure and hope, and mind willing to fight any struggles we shall face in the New Year.

 I want to take this moment to sum up my adventures in the world of reading and writing in 2013.

~Wonderful people~

Diana Nixon is the author of fantasy and contemporary romances. She was born in Minsk, Belarus, where she currently lives. In 2008 she graduated from Belorussian state University. She has a Master of Law degree and speaks several foreign languages, including English, Polish, and Spanish.

To learn more about Diana Nixon or to buy her works:
Love Lines:
Ebook or Paperback
Songs of the wind:
Ebook or Paperback
From Scratch:
Ebook or Paperback
Diamond Sky:
Ebook or Paperback

Troy Aaron Ratliff:
Troy Aaron Ratliff was born and raised in Hamilton, Ohio and self-educated in writing, art, photography, and voice impersonations. When he's not not reading, writing, and cooking up his next monstrosity, you can generally find him defending the galaxy from the forces of evil, feeding hippopotamuses, dinging with foreign dignitaries and zen masters, waking up to his supermodel wife, alternating the space-time inter-dimensional warp or, more than likely, stuck in traffic somewhere in southern California on his magic carpet.
To learn more about Troy or buy his products:


Book:

Do I Bother You At Night?
Trista Jaszczak is the author of the Believe series, and upcoming relaunches, Loverboy, What Lies Inside, and the Darkness Falls Series. She is an Air Force spouse and mother to two mischievous and rambunctious little girls. She is originally from Hamilton  Ohio but calls home where ever the Air force sends her. She currently resides in Anchorage, alaska where she finds endless inspiration inthe pure Alaskan wilderness. when she isn't writing, she spends her time with family in the vast Alaskan outdoors, plucking away at her old guitar or working on self improvement in the gym. She loves the outdoors, the moon, old movies, and music.
You  can follow her on: AmazonFacebookGoodreadsTwitter, and her Blog

 Ashley Wied
Her Bio:
Hey there, my name is Ashley, and I've been writing for as long as i can remember. My first novel is entitled "The Otherkind," and is currently under a major editing process. My other current projects include "Felicity," "Fleur Valse," "The Tornament," "Eighteen," "White Magic," and many other storeis that take place within my fantasy realm of Ancantha.

I also write YA fiction, poetry, song lyrics, and fanfiction.

Feel free to read my work at Writer's Cafe or Figment (or any of my other links...I'm everywhere!), and if you like what you read, LIKE MY PAGE! :-)


~Self-Publishing~
During the year I have worked on several projects, a few of which I ended up self-publishing! Talk about exciting! Okay, it was more like a heart attack. I stressed out each time I published, though the world never ended I couldn’t help but want to burry my head in the sand or hide under a rock. Yep, I’m that kind of person, but after two days or so I recovered happily and continued writing the next project. J

~Read/reviews~
During 2013 I have gotten the chance to read a few books/ebooks, as well as reviewing each of them, and I wanted to list off my top ten count! Starting with number Ten, Judgment of souls.
(Follow the links to read my reviews of each work)
Favorite Books:

10.) Judgment of Souls by Margarita Felices
9.) Diamond Sky by Diana Nixon
8.) From Scratch by Diana Nixon
7.) The Strange In Skin Trilogy By Sara V. Zook
6.) City Of Bones (review coming soon) by Cassandra Clare
5.) Little Red by Trista Jaszczak
4.) Phantom in the Night Sherrilyn Kenyon
3.) Hate at First Sight by Diana Nixon
2.) The Accidental Demon Slayer by Angie Fox
1.) The Host (review link coming soon) Stephenie Meyer

~Movies I discovered and fell in love with over the year~


The Host
The Hobbit
The Hobbit 2
Iron Man 3
Frozen
Rise of the Guardians
How to train your Dragon

~What’s to come~
In the year of 2014 you can expect that I will again try to read and review 52 books. And I will succeed! I have to put a dent in my ever growing list of 250 e/books. They won’t read themselves you know.
In 2014 I will publish at least two more books, in October I will publish another free scary story, and before the year is out I will have a paperback under my belt!
You should expect plenty more reviews with every book read and lots more spotlights as my list of friends grow in the world of writers. I gladly take suggestions of your books or of a book you have read. I never turn down an adventure!
I am very excited as one year has come to a close and the next begins and I look forward to taking the journey with you.
Follow me, into my world of Reading and Writing in 2014.
Love,
Brenda Franklin, author of The Pulse Trilogy.

Strange In Skin Trilogy Reviews

Strange In Skin Trilogy Book Review by Sara V. Zook

 
18757854Strange In Skin
book one

 From the moment Anna James meets the strange prisoner Emry Logan, she becomes instantly obsessed and will stop at nothing to try to get another interaction with him. But going against her family and church aren’t without consequence. She is deemed a traitor as she quickly realizes that there’s more to Emry’s past than just murder. He has a special ability that is far from human that he only shares with her. Feeling this magical connection, Anna has to free her beautiful inmate so that they can be together finally, but someone else knows about Emry’s secret and wants Anna to stop digging for answers as she finds herself in the midst of a modern day witch hunt. The life of an innocent pastor’s kid suddenly is turned upside down in a war between good and evil as Anna begins to wonder which people in her life are on the side of good, and is she one of them.


 -------------REVIEW--------------

 I give the book a 4 out of 5
Long story short Anna, the pastor’s daughter, falls in love with Emry, a man in prison for murder. Now, I was thinking as I read the book that this surely isn’t possible. I mean, yes, I guess people could fall in love with inmates, but man! I had one issue after the other with Anna. First she accepts seeing him in prison, giving him a lot of information about herself, then she makes enemies with her own father (with good reason) becomes very sneaky and even  sneaks into the prison at one point in a disguise. Granted it makes for a great read. haha

Needless to say, I didn’t know if he was a bad man or not, but clearly Saraknew what she was doing! You’re leading lady finds herself trying to save a man she has fallen in love with and who has the most wonderful ability ever, he can do things a normal person can’t and I will have to leave it at that. With Anna on the hunt to prove his innocence she stumbles on the path of some not so innocent people who end up hurting her, locking her up, and for the most part keeps her in a good condition until this whole thing blows over, but what? What are they talking about? Why can’t she fall in love with Emry? Why is there so many people so determined to see him killed? And what part does her father play in all of this?

When I finished the last page I felt the instant pull to read the next with so many unanswered questions. The good thing is that you could stop if you wanted to; I mean there is an end, but why would you? The books aren’t expensive and I think you’d want to add them to your collection. This is defiantly one I would want to read again and grab if I could, in paperback.
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Evadere
Book two
18757862
When Anna becomes separated from Emry, she has no other choice but to explore the foreign world of Evadere on her own. She soon discovers that it is tainted from a stirring turmoil among the people. Evadere has been a place of respite and escape from the difficulties of Earth for Anna and Emry, but alone on Evadere, Anna is pulled into the stirrings of an uprising between the Scaves and the ones who force them to live as scavengers. Anna is determined not to let the fear and attempts on her life stop her from finding her way back to Emry. But Anna is shocked when she discovers who Emry really is, the forces of evil supporting him and how the temptations in paradise have been misleading them both. It will take all the strength and determination Anna and Emry possess to survive Evadere, even as the killing starts ...
 
 
 
------------------REVIEW---------------------
5 out of 5 stars
And like the first I was taken by the first few paragraphs and I knew, I wouldn’t be able to put it down. You join with Emry and Anna along with a few new faces in the World of Evadere, a fictional place that they thought was barren with golden sand and beaches that only they could travel too, but you find out quick that they aren’t alone.
Having bolted out of a funeral and being chased by a few men in suits Anna and Emry seek refuge at Evadere, but when Anna wakes up from a relaxing nap she finds that Emry is no longer there and the world suddenly becomes a much darker place.
Now, teaming up with a Scave, “scavenger”, stealing food, running for her life, and trying to find a way back to Earth, Anna finds herself face to face with what she wants, Emry, but everything is upside down. Spoiler! He’s a prince. He’s The Prince of Evadere!! That’s a shocker, but I’m completely happy about it, until I realized that his mom, the queen, and the other royalties are butts….. yes, forgive my language.
Sara had my heart pounding, yearning, longing for Emry, and then I was jealous as another woman steps up to bat and talk about a cat fight in my head playing out. If looks could kill I’m pretty sure Anna would be dead by the queen and Emry would take the throne under his mother’s misguidance about peace between their people and the scaves. Yes, my head is still spinning about this book.
This is an exhilarating read and when you start you’re not going to want to put it down. There wasn’t a moment where I felt it was slow and around every corner you are learning something knew. So much so I swear I could smell the scaves. Yep, that was a wonderful moment, when you start to smell the filth of the scaves' home and wonder what Anna looked like to Emry when he first sees her?
Power consumes power. Within these pages people will be deceived, be used, and change forever.
In about five minutes after writing this I will be off reading Solace! Here’s to another five star review
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Solace
Book three
18597979
 
Emry and Anna's love has always been forbidden. They've been hunted, seen those around them murdered and still don't know who to blame or who to trust. In a world where Anna is considered just a human, can peace be achieved between those inhabiting Evadere and those cast out and left for dead? They have to find out who is after them before it's too late, before one of the lives lost is their own, but are Emry's powers strong enough to save the one he loves?
 
 
 
 
 
 
----------------REVIEW-----------------
5 out of 5 stars
Solace is the third and last in the Strange in Skin Trilogy and I really can’t wait to see what else this author has up her sleeves. Sara has done a wonderful job and This will defiantly make my top ten of 2013!
Where do I start? Okay, Solace picks up right where Evader leaves off with a wicked Queen powerless and Emry no longer a puppet. With Emry’s eyes unclouded by his power hungry mother Anna and his relationship can finally grow and he can become King. But with his new title comes great responsibilities which he, like any person, is nervous about, but with Anna at his side they can do anything.
This is one of those Love can conquer all kind of stories, but not without challenges. Secrets are revealed, all questions are answered, and the future is cloudy. With enemies within the castle another struggle for power lies out before our cast and they are running out of time as the game for the Crone has began and this time someone’s life will be taken in the end.
 I love the complexity to the relationship between Anna and Emry. They love each other to the fullest and they prove it over and over throughout each book. Anna’s unwillingness to believe he was a killer, Emry’s ability to fight his mother to save Anna, and their overall ability to try and change the world.
If you haven’t read any of Sara's books I suggest you follow one of the many links on this page and snag up your copy, because it is truly worth it. I have had a lot of fun reading her books and I must thank her for giving me an ARC.
-May your future works be just as powerful and moving as these.
-Brenda Franklin, author of The Pulse Trilogy.