Made the Grade: Destiny Series, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 1125 KB | Expected Release Date: January 30, 2014 | Publisher: Dream Z Dragon Publishing | Obtained: Dark Scream Book Tours

"Lady's Destiny" [Destiny Series, Book 1] by A. R. Von

Author's Book Description : When dreams haunt you in the most delicious ways and fate pulls you into destiny’s path, what can be done other than to accept and submit to it.

Can Iria truly get what she’s always dreamed of or will it always just remain a memory? Being a rare creature such as her with exceptional beauty and rarity of existence should be enough. Though, all she wants is her desire, her destiny...

To be with a man—one man.

Are these dreams she’s having real? Could she really take on human form and become a Lady to be with the man she craves?

Dezso discovers a magical creature—a being of incredible light and peace. He is drawn to it again and again, and his feelings grow with every encounter. He carries a dark secret that he wishes never existed. The only thing that truly brings light upon his existence is the beauty that warms his heart but seems to only exist in his head—with dreams and visions of a magical woman, full of heartwarming light.

Will he ever know true love and happiness? Will he ever be able to lighten the weight and share his dark secret with another...?

Darkness is growing stronger, weakening the light and killing off what makes the world a beautiful place to live in. Enter a world of fantasy and dreams, passions and temptations. A world where dragons, unicorns, magic and mermaids really do exist. A world where love WILL conquer all!

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars! This is a unique mystical novel about good vs. evil, light vs. darkness, and those who hope to restore/keep the balance. At the forefront in the fight, you have Dezso and Iria ....

Dezso is a magical human who fights on the light side yet has been dealing with his own personal struggle and darkness for as long as he can remember. When he meets Iria he knows he wants to become a better man then he already is, for her he'll try anything. Together they make a great pair and their love is very sweet. Especially since Iria is, for all intents and purposes, an innocent when it comes to anything "human." I liked them as a couple and their story really makes for an intriguing start to this series.

However, even though I liked it, at times I found the flow of the novel to be slow and got a bit bored with it.

Nevertheless, I recommend this novel and series to those who like mystical paranormal suspenseful erotic-ish romances.

- On a side note -
In truth, because of the premise, the "goddess qualities," and the good vs. evil storyline I kept thinking about how this novel seemed to be a sweet mix of Ms. Cast's "Divine By Blood" & Ms. Royce's The Outsiders Series.

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

Author's Novel Extras : Wednesday Briefs: Lady #1 by A.R. Von | Wednesday Briefs: Lady #2 by A.R. Von | Wednesday Briefs: Lady #3 by A.R. Von | Wednesday Briefs: Lady #4 by A.R. Von | Wednesday Briefs: Lady #5 by A.R. Von | Wednesday Briefs: Lady #6 by A.R. Von | Wednesday Briefs: Lady #7 by A.R. Von | #WedBriefs Flash Fiction Lady #8 | #WedBriefs Flash Fiction Lady #9 | #WedBriefs Flash Fiction Lady #10 | #WedBriefs Flash Fiction Lady #11 by A.R. Von | #WedBriefs Flash Fiction Lady #12 by A.R. Von | #WedBriefs Flash Fiction Lady #13 by A.R. Von | #WedBriefs Flash Fiction Lady #14 & 15 by A.R. Von | #WedBriefs Flash Fiction Lady #16 by A.R. Von | #WedBriefs Flash Fiction Lady #17 by A.R. Von | #WedBriefs Flash Fiction Lady #18 by A.R. Von | #WedBriefs Flash Fiction Lady #19 by A.R. Von | #WedBriefs Flash Fiction Lady #20 by A.R. Von | #WedBriefs Flash Fiction Lady #21 by A.R. Von | #WedBriefs Flash Fiction Lady #22 by A.R. Von | #WedBriefs Flash Fiction Lady #23 by A.R. Von | AHA Breakthrough Authors Blog Hop November 25 - 29, 2013 | Cover Reveal Sign Up for Bloggers & fb party invite! Check it out! | Lady's Destiny by A.R. Von Cover Reveal | AND IT BEGINS... Lady's Destiny Blog tour!

Author's Book Trailer :

Book Teaser(s) :

I must find her promptly. I send calming thoughts her way with hopes it will help her to last longer without air. She is over the hill, only a half mile from our home. There are dark forms surrounding her, hooded and oozing evil. I cannot make out what they are saying. All I now hear is the blood rushing, pounding in Iria's ears as if it is my very own.
I have dropped our things a ways back and believe they will still be there when we are ready to retrieve them. I call to the light to use its power, the power within me so I can get to her sooner. I find myself standing right in front of her now with my back to the enemy. Realizing my position, I quickly turn and send blasts of energy and fire at each form I see. Only hitting half of them while the others are scrambling to get away.
There must be at least a dozen of them. From what I sense, they are all full of darkness. Only out to destroy and corrupt.
I let my light forth at full power surrounding Iria and myself in its warmth and protection.
The evil surrounding Iria seems to slowly melt away until she falls to her knees gasping for air. I feel deep within that she is already feeling better and no permanent harm has come to her. Thank the goddess!
What do they want with her? They cannot know who or what she truly is—can they? ~ within Chapter 9

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by A. R., then please check out her website.

Feasted On: Fire Chronicles, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 139; Kindle Edition - File Size: 2107 KB | Expected Release Date: March 19, 2014 | Publisher: Bad Luck Publishing | Obtained: NetGalley

"Dragons Don't Cry" [Fire Chronicles, Book 1] by D'Elen McClain

Author's Book Description : One pint sized human female who’s had too much to drink, not enough sleep, and absolutely no patience meets one stubborn dragon shifter with an attitude.

Bastian claims Acasia, his unwilling bride, after she spends the night carousing with friends. She’s not happy, he’s pissed off, and with a curse from a goddess thrown in, you’ll see Bastian breathe fire.

Add secrets, treasure, and unimaginable heartbreak for an emotionally humorous read and discover why Dragons Don’t Cry.

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars! Fans of Ms. McClain will love her newest series, which is a slight spin-off series of her Fang Chronicles, with its charismatic characters and their sarcastic--and slightly devious--ways!

Endearing, charming, funny, and entertaining this novel keeps you on your toes! From it's slight foundation based in Greek Mythology to the unique realms the dragons are able to travel too this novel takes a unique approach to paranormal romance that will keep you captivated.

Plus, it helps that Acasia and Bastian are a combustible duo! With Acasia's feistiness and Bastian's stubbornness you can never be sure as to what these two will end up doing next!

Their romance gives me hope for this series and the other dragons! I recommend this novel and series to anyone who is a fan of the Fang Chronicles and/or those who love paranormal romances!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

Author's Novel Extras : Of Fur and Fangs Bundle | Cover Reveal: Dragons Don’t Cry | Dragons Don’t Cry Happy Dance | Dragons Don’t Cry Blog Tour

Book Teaser(s) :

"Why did you throw a fit and trash your filthy tower last night, Bastian?"
She'd seen my rage, didn't run from it even after tempting me to murder. Definitely insane. But more beautiful than any bride I'd ever known. "I was jealous of your finger." I huffed it out, the thought still making my anger rise. ~ within Chapter 9

"Why are you here, bastard blue child of Cookie Monster?" ~ within Chapter 13

"Our son is waiting for you at home. What am I supposed to say, 'Mommy can't read to you tonight, she fell on the floor and damaged her brain?"
"I didn't damage my brain on the floor. I did it on the wine."
He raised his eyebrows.
"Acasia, meet Honey, my mate, the father of my son, and the keeper of my..." she stumbled again, but this time Honey picked her up over his shoulder and looked at me.
"She meant to say balance. I keep her balance."
"Heart, you dumbass. Let me down." ~ within Chapter 14

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by D'Elen, then please check out her website.

Made the Grade: School Spirits Series, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Hardcover - Pages: 304; Paperback - Pages: 304; Kindle Edition - File Size: 393 KB; Audiobook - Unabridged | Expected Release Date: May 14, 2013 | Publisher: Disney Hyperion | Obtained: NetGalley

"School Spirits" [School Spirits Series, Book 1] by Rachel Hawkins

Author's Book Description : Fifteen-year-old Izzy Brannick was trained to fight monsters. For centuries, her family has hunted magical creatures. But when Izzy’s older sister vanishes without a trace while on a job, Izzy's mom decides they need to take a break.

Izzy and her mom move to a new town, but they soon discover it’s not as normal as it appears. A series of hauntings has been plaguing the local high school, and Izzy is determined to prove her worth and investigate. But assuming the guise of an average teenager is easier said than done. For a tough girl who's always been on her own, it’s strange to suddenly make friends and maybe even have a crush.

Can Izzy trust her new friends to help find the secret behind the hauntings before more people get hurt?

Rachel Hawkins' delightful spin-off brings the same wit and charm as the New York Times best-selling Hex Hall series. Get ready for more magic, mystery and romance!

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars! It's a sweet humorous suspenseful novel that has spurts of romance thrown in, gets you all warmed up for what looks to be a intriguing spin-off series!! Izzy is a softhearted protagonist who is still getting her footing in what her role is supposed to be within her family's lifestyle. Just recently losing her older sister, she feels responsible for the loss and tries to show her mother what a good "worker" she is by taking a ghost "case" on her own. Yet, as she has to pretend to be a "normal" teenager for her mission she gets involved in a lot of firsts. First kiss. First crush. First friends. During that time she comes to terms what it means following in her family's footsteps, what she might have to give up, and see if she can change her future for the better...

I really liked Torin!! And even though I liked Dex and Izzy together, I have hopes that something between Torin and Izzy will happen! =0)

I recommend this novel for those who are fans of the Hex Hall series, fans of Ms. Hawkins, and/or those who like YA paranormal novels with romance thrown in!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Hex Hall

Author's Novel Extras : SCHOOL SPIRITS! A WEEK FROM TOOODAAAY!

Book Teaser(s) :

That done, I tossed my phone on the bed and turned my attention to my closet.
"Whatever shall you wear?" Torin observed, propping his chin in his hand. "Let's see, there's the black T-shirt with black jeans. Or perhaps, it you're going for elegance over function, you could wear the black T-shirt with black jeans. Ooh!" He sat up, widening his eyes. "Do you know what would be particularly fetching? The black---"
"T-shirt with black jeans," I finished for him. "Hilarious."
But looking at my closet, he did have a point. Other than that pink hoodie, my closet was a sea of sameness. A sea of black. And I didn't have the faintest idea what girls wore to basketball games. ~ within Chapter 13

"So you were...dead."
"Romy," I warned, but she just shrugged and pulled the blanket tighter around her.
"Look, I get that he's traumatized, but hey, am I, too."
"We all are," Anderson muttered. ~ within Chapter 33

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Rachel, then please check out her website.