New Release & Review for Hale And Gemini (The Alder Tales Book 3) by RS McCoy

Title: Hale and Gemini

Author: RS McCoy

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Fairytale Reimagining

Cover Designer: Kit Foster Design

Pre-Order: http://amzn.to/2srWOVb

Release Date: July 18, 2017

Blurb: 

The third son of the Bear Clan, Hale thought he had his life figured out. He had a stunning bride, his iron faith in the Mother, and has spent the last five years training to be the future clan leader. But when his life comes crashing down around him, Hale knows he can’t stay home. 

Leaving behind everyone he’s ever known, Hale is alone with his thoughts as he crosses the Alderwood in search of his sister. Then Gemini—the clan flirt and known gossip—follows him, demanding his protection. She’s just as determined to leave her life behind. Hale doesn’t know what made her leave her sisters or suitor, but he has no choice but to continue with a helpless girl at his side. Neither ever expected just how dangerous the Alderwood could be. 

Oblivious of Hale’s departure, Parson and Raene travel to Terrana to ask political favors in exchange for their clan leader’s freedom, but lingering injuries threaten their arrival—and their lives. They’ll need the help of an unlikely ally if they hope to succeed. 

Review:

This has to be one of my favorite series! I love how different it is to anything else I have read. It's kind of like twisting together Hunger Games with shape shifters. Why Hunger Games? Because of how they are divided into districts. And the districts are each different. I see the same thing in this series but with totally different elements. I love how they are all shape shifters as adults because of a shot they receive, which gives each person their totem. Some shocking things about Blossom's totem comes out in this book and I was so happy to see the whole gang featured in this book. Hale and Gemini have quite the story and it is by far not a traditional relationship/story with those two. The end is a complete cliff hanger that left me wanting to yell, "No!!!" But overall, it was a great read!

5 out of 5 stars!!

Author Bio: 

Rachel McCoy is a Texan living in New Jersey. Between binge-watching MTV reality shows and baking gluten-free treats, she writes paranormal fantasy and science fiction novels. She is the self-published author of the Sparks Saga trilogy, The Alder Tales series, and The Extraction Files. Back when she lived in the real world, Rachel earned a degree in marine biology, which contributed to her die-hard love of manta rays. 

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NEw release and review for Raene and the Three Bears by RS McCoy

***NEW RELEASE***

Title: Raene and the Three Bears

Author: RS McCoy

Genre: Urban Paranormal Romance

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2cqo2PL

Blurb:

A golden-haired beauty with a tiger totem, Raene Randal is powerless to stop the dissolution of her life. Her uncle and best friend, Kaide, is sending her away for good. While Raene knows his actions are fueled by the sudden and unexplained loss of his bride, Blossom, that doesn’t change the fact that her future is certain. As the niece of a Pyro politician, it’s Raene’s duty to cross the realm and fulfill her marriage arrangements with an Alderwood Bear Clan.

The rest of her life is mapped out, but Raene has one choice left: to choose a husband from the sons of the Bear Clan’s leader—too bad she’s not interested in any of them. She knows her duty, but so far from her home and everyone she knows, Raene finds keeping her promises harder than she ever thought.

On the far side of the realm, Blossom knows nothing of Kaide’s implosion or Raene’s departure. She’s trapped in the Aero city at the whim of Syndicate Mercer. As much as she tries to adapt to her aerial totem and her new role within the Aero branch, Blossom knows it’s only a matter of time before she sees Kaide again, but this time, she’ll be his enemy.

Buy on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2cqo2PL

Add on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1OGcQdL

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRSMcCoy

REVIEW:

Boy, what can I say about this one besides that it's an awesome follow up to the first book?? Because it is! And it leaves you wanting more, so much more. I mean, I have so many questions that I won't reveal so I don't spoil things. Raene is a really awesome Pyro chick who gets her tiger totem, but has trouble handling the volatile animal within from the very beginning. She hurts someone she cares deeply about in the process. Then suddenly her uncle, Kaide, is sending her away to the Alderwood to Blossom's family to choose a husband among the Frane sons who are bears. Each very different in their own right, of the three, only two are available and they are as different as night and day. One has it in his head that she's meant for him and the other thinks he's no good for her and pushes her away. The choice seems simple taken at face value, but it's really not and no one is as they seem in this book. Especially on Blossom's end as she attempts to adjust to the hard life in Aero. I'm already excited about what's coming next! 

5 out of 5 stars!!

Release Blitz for Blossom and the Beast by R.S. McCoy

Blossom and the Beast

Author: RS McCoy

A Beauty and the Beast Retelling

Release Date: May 31, 2016

Blurb: 

*A Paranormal Romance retelling of Beauty and the Beast*

Blossom Frane is only weeks away from her transformation. On her eighteenth birthday, she’ll find out her future branch of society and her totem, the animal form she’ll be able to take at will for the rest of her life. Like her brothers, she’s expected to be a brown bear of the religious branch known as Terra. 

In the Alderwood forests, Blossom’s bear blood is a valuable asset. Any day now, a rival clan leader will step forward and offer her father a hefty bounty in exchange for her hand in marriage. Blossom can do nothing more than sit back and wait to be traded to the highest bidder.

Determined to spend her last weeks exploring the Alderwood, Blossom sneaks away and manages to find Kaide Landel, a rising political star of the Pyro branch. Known for his violence and disregard for the religious teachings of the Terra branch, he’s all wrong for the bear clan’s prized daughter. But when the politician uses his wealth and influence to secure her hand, Blossom has no choice but to leave her family and marry him—if she lives that long.

Purchase Links:

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My Review:
I loved this book! Beauty and the Beast has long been my favorite old school Disney movie and this book has some serious undertones with Beauty and the Beast references. Sometimes this doesn't work so well, but here the references are perfectly placed and pulled at my heart strings. Especially the end scene with Kaide. I won't pretend I wasn't frustrated with Blossom for a while because of her attitude. At the same time, there were so many factors playing into it that I could understand why the attitude from her and the way he is. Kaide is way out of his element when it comes to the beautiful woman he bartered for as his future wife. She is wild and untameable; a trait he admires in her because he recognizes a kindred spirit. The ending was just emotionally wracking. Like stitches being torn out of a raw wound. It is a serious cliffhanger. But I cannot wait to see more from this series!!

5 out of 5 stars!

Reviews:

Beauty and the Beast has long been my favorite old school Disney movie and this book has some serious undertones with Beauty and the Beast references. Sometimes this doesn't work so well, but here the references are perfectly placed and pulled at my heart strings. Clarice's Book Nook

I adored the characters (especially Kaide but also Blossom -- she's such a strong-willed character!) the story, and McCoy's wonderful and gripping writing style. BooksEnchanted

The story is fast paced and apart from Blossom and Kaide's romance, there is plenty of suspense, political manipulation and intrigue in Kaide's career as a politician that will affect and change his and Blossom's lives forever! All this and more is handled with ease by RS McCoy and I loved her writing style and know that I will be checking out her other books too while I wait for the next book in this series. NjKinny's World of Books and Stuff

Author Bio: 

Rachel McCoy is a Texan living in New Jersey. Between binge-watching MTV reality shows and baking gluten-free treats, she writes paranormal fantasy and science fiction novels. She is the self-published author of the Sparks Saga trilogy, The Extraction Files, and The Alder Tales series. Back when she lived in the real world, Rachel earned a degree in marine biology, which contributed to her die-hard love of manta rays.

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Review for Spell Bound by Dorian Tsukioka

Blurb:
In order to save her family, Aniya sacrifices herself as a slave to Rahotep, the High Priest and second most powerful man in all of Egypt. In the dungeon of the palace she finds herself entwined in both magic and a budding romance with one of Rahotep's own servants. 

The High Priest has his own plans for Aniya -- plans that lead to her death. Aniya is faced with choosing her own path or sacrificing herself once again for the sake of those she loves most. 

Spell Bound is a fairy tale retelling woven with threads of magic and sacrificial love. If you like page-turning action, surprising twists and turns, and heroic love, you'll love Dorian Tsukioka's newest fairy tale adventure into the mystical world of ancient Egypt.

Review:
Spell Bound is a very interesting story that the author has written by taking some historical figures in ancient Egypt and entwining a Snow White undertone to.  Aniya has very pale skin unlike other Egyptians, but like Snow White.  And there is even a poison apple, a wicked queen, and death-like sleep.  However, her story is also along the lines of the story of Nefertiti and Akhenaten, which are prominent figures in the history of Egypt for turning from worship to multiple gods to one god Aten.  But in this story, Aten is not who he seems and doesn't seem like a good god either.  There is evil afoot in more than one place, and magic is everywhere.  I love how the stories are so laced together.  It gives this story quite a kick.  
5 out of 5 stars!

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Spell-Bound-Fairy-Retelling-Book-ebook/dp/B01BTQX96U/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1456851874&sr=8-4&keywords=dorian+tsukioka
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29371890-spell-bound

FREE EBOOK!

The Godfather Tree by Bree Pierce is FREE August 21-23!!

Blurb:

Once upon a time... 
the calm of the woods called to Crimson. making her feel welcome among the trees. Then she finds the note in the hollow of the tree, and strikes up a friendship with a boy she has never met. But he disappears along with the white wolf frequenting the area. 
Then danger returns and lurks in the dark shadows of the forest, waiting on its unsuspecting prey... 

*This novella was written in the intent for it to be a sweet, southern-style, shifter fairy tale with Red Riding Hood under tones.*

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012LG8K9S

The Godfather Tree by Bree Pierce

Bree Pierce's newest release is The Godfather Tree!  It is free on Kindle Unlimited or only 99 cents!  The Godfather Tree is a clean read and can be considered YA as well!  Check out the blurb and cover below!

Blurb:

Once upon a time... 
the calm of the woods called to Crimson. making her feel welcome among the trees. Then she finds the note in the hollow of the tree, and strikes up a friendship with a boy she has never met. But he disappears along with the white wolf frequenting the area. 
Then danger returns and lurks in the dark shadows of the forest, waiting on its unsuspecting prey... 

*This novella was written in the intent for it to be a sweet, southern-style, shifter fairy tale with Red Riding Hood under tones.*


Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Godfather-Tree-Bree-Pierce-ebook/dp/B012LG8K9S/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1439179836&sr=8-5&keywords=bree+pierce

Thaddeus Whiskers and the Dragon by H.L. Burke

 This is a new chapter book for kids by H.L. Burke that I recently read and I really enjoyed it!  In fact, so did my oldest child!
   Thaddeus F. Whiskers is a royal companion ( a cat) to the Princess Clarice.  On her 10th birthday, the castle wizard, Hermes, decides to make him really fluffy as a present to Clarice.  The spell backfires and leaves most of the court sneezing until Thaddeus is removed to a village quite a ways away.  With a spell on him, Thaddeus will never be able to find the way home on his own.  He hates being separated from Clarice and is determined to find her.  After escaping the village, he finds a dragon who basically adopts him as his own pet.  They like each other's company, but Thaddues never forgets that he must get back to Clarice.  In fact, it so happens that she and the king are in danger from a woman named Ambrosia who wants to be queen.  She will stop at nothing, so Thaddeus must stop her with the help of some strange friends.

   I love how unexpected some of the friendships in this story are and the incorporating of magic into it with kind of a medieval theme!  It makes for a very imaginative and creative story that will fuel your child's imagination!


Blurb:

Thaddeus F. Whiskers is a pampered palace pet, a kitten enchanted to never become a cat. Princess Clarice loves him, for in the entire kingdom, for there is no other kitten as cute or as clever. He leads a life of cushions and cream until a wizard's "gift" results in his banishment. Determined to make it back to the princess he loves, he escapes into the wilderness where he discovers the lair of a dragon.

Grandious, the dragon, doesn't care about anything besides himself. He wants to be left alone with his treasure. However, there is something about Thaddeus that has him entranced. He finds himself opening his home and his heart to the little cat.

Thaddeus is a small creature in a big world. Between him and his beloved Princess stand conniving wizards, would-be-step-mothers, and rampaging rats. However, when danger threatens both Clarice and Grandious, Thaddeus won't allow his size to get in the way of saving his friends.

 
This book is for pre-order right now on Amazon!  It will be released on March 1st and I highly recommend this one for your children!  Even I thought Thaddeus's journey was rather interesting, even if it is a children's book!

You can buy it here:  http://www.amazon.com/Thaddeus-Whiskers-Dragon-H-Burke-ebook/dp/B00SHV36BE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1423366672&sr=8-3&keywords=h.l.+burke

Cursed Beauty (A Fairy Retelling Book 1) by Dorian Tsukioka

   We all know the Disney fairy tale version of Cinderella and her glass slippers.  What child doesn't?  But did you ever think that perhaps the story was a little bit off?  That maybe there was more to it?  Well, there is.  This novelette is another side of Cinderella that you've never seen before, but explains so much.
   Adelaide was born with a hideous birthmark scarring half of her face.  It makes her feel ugly and although people in the village where she lives have generally gotten used to it, they still whisper about it.  And she knows they do.  People won't even look her in the face when they talk to her.  Word is that she was born cursed.  Her mother died long ago of the pox, the same night that the younger Prince Julian lost his mother to it as well.  Her father had been off to the castle trying to save the queen when Adelaide's mother died right beside her.  The happenings of that night stayed with her for the next several years.  The prince had lashed out at her when his mother died.  He was mean to her and she had never forgiven him.  Now, several years later, he delivers the news of the death of her father.  While she grieves though, her stepmother, Celeste, seems cold and uncaring.  Due to her father's death, Adelaide is forced to become a servant in her own house.  During this time of readjustment, the prince tries to make amends with her by inviting her to the ball for his older brother's birthday.  There's no way Adelaide can go, for several reasons.  An old woman shows up with magic slippers saying she's her fairy godmother.  Even though she wears the slippers, there is a terrible price to pay to use them.  The price is much steeper than Adelaide is willing to pay once she has what the old woman wants.  After all, nothing is free.


   I love the retelling of this old tale.  Disney makes it into a wonderful, feel good story for kids to watch.  But let's be honest here: no one falls in love the first night they go to a ball and dance with a prince.  That's called lust.  This gives Adelaide and the prince a former history already that spans several years.  Not only that, but the poor girl has been deemed cursed by the community because of a prominent birthmark.  And then there is the fairy godmother.  Well this one seems kind of scary to me.  I also like the part Celeste plays in this.  Everything has its explanation and it is a somewhat disturbing tale.  It's short, and definitely not what you would call sweet, but it is a good retelling of it!

5 out of 5 stars!

Dragon's Bride: The Dragon and the Scholar book 4 by H.L. Burke

   In the last installment of the series, Ewan, the Dragon Prince, leaves his new bride, Shannon, in Regone to go in search of answers to become a man for good.  Since being married to Shannon, he realizes she is far more important to him than anything else and he will find a way to be the man she needs him to be.  He and Martin set out to find a dragon, Queen Harviss, who might have answers for him.  They might know something about the wild magic that has bound Ewan.  But when they meet her, things just get more complicated.  Turns out that Ewan has Fey blood running in his veins and the magic worked by Adonna awakened it.  Now he and Martin must travel back in time and find his Fey ancestor to help with the curse.  But when they go back, they run into unexpected trouble with the powerful Queen Idriss.  Now they aren't sure if they will be able to make it back to their own time, and Idriss wants to send herself and many other Fey into the future where they are pretty much non-existent.  If she succeeds, who knows what would happen?


   Shannon and Ewan find themselves in a bit of an unconventional spot in this book.  A dragon is married to a scholar.  They are very much in love, but his dragon form is a problem for their current state.  They had one night together in the end of the third book, but all it did was make them both want more.  Shannon will do her best to be content with him as a dragon as long as he is around.  But not Ewan.  He wants very badly to return to a human state to be able to touch and hold Shannon.
   While Ewan is gone, Shannon finds herself with child and starts getting very lonely without Ewan.  She tries to keep herself busy, waiting on his return.  She did give him a year, but hadn't actually thought it would take that long.  She holds the secret of her pregnancy for as long as possible, but can't forever.  People notice when she hasn't eaten and isn't feeling well so often.  She is doing her best to go on without Ewan there.
   Martin finds himself particularly drawn to Idriss's daughter, Rega.  She is only half Fey and an accomplished hunter.  Her father had long since been turned into a stag and let loose to live out the rest of his days after Idriss was tired of him.  She did this often with her lovers.  They were all disposable to her.  But Rega wasn't like her or even the other Fey.  She had a soft spot for the humans.  But things could never work out between Martin and Rega for an astounding reason you find out later on in the book.
   The ending was absolutely fantastic!  It was just as it should be with some surprise to it as well.  Things never quite end like you expect them to.  And let's just say that Ewan must pay a price to regain his human form.  It is a price that affects everyone around him.  Should he choose to take the risk anyway?

The Dragon and the Scholar Book 3: Dragon's Rival by H.L. Burke

  The dragon/prince, Ewan may no longer be denying his feelings for Shannon to himself, but he is to her.  And he refuses to really speak about them to any of his friends either.  He still feels like he is doing what's best for the both of them by staying out of the way.  After returning to Regone, Ewan tells Shannon that he doesn't love her.  Shannon, crushed and heartbroken, falls into Prince Ryan's arms.  She agrees to marry him, but they decide not to tell anyone besides King Riley, Ryan's father, until after King Edmond's marriage to Brighid (Ryan's sister).

   Meanwhile, there have been strange goings on.  New servants and such have been appointed to the king in Regone.  A man named Donovan has been watching with interest and questions what is going on.  Because of his questions, he loses his position in the palace guard and his life is in danger.  He must find someone who he can trust, and someone who has influence with the king.  Ewan is that someone.
   In Westshire, King Riley has employed two "alchemists" who seem to be doing some shady work for him.  Whatever they are concocting is nothing good.  Will, a stable boy, has been closely watching the palace along with the king and his son. There is an uprising in the making and he is gathering intel for his superiors.  What he doesn't count on is owing Prince Ryan his life.  Will wants nothing more than to despise Riley, and Ryan as well if he turns out to be anything like his father, but can't seem to find it in himself to feel that way about the prince.
   It will take all of them, along with their friend Martin, to keep Regone safe from King Riley's treachery.  He is always scheming, and him playing nice only makes everyone more nervous.  It wasn't that long ago that he wanted to kill King Edmond.
   Shannon is in danger of marrying someone she doesn't love.  Ewan's very life is in danger by an unknown source.  Donovan and his wife are almost killed, and Will too.  Even Regone itself is in danger.  The stakes are high...


   This is another great novel in The Dragon and the Scholar series!  Yes the stakes are high!  Ewan must make his decision once and for all about Shannon, who is in love with him.  Ryan wants a chance at making Shannon happy and is willing to make her his princess and one day queen.  Although Shannon would be a fine queen, she isn't sure that kind of life is for her, but she is very fond of Ryan.  The cards are laid on the table for them in this book and the end is fantastic, but still very surprising!
   Will is a new character we are introduced to and he has secrets of his own.  These secrets go deep and not all of them come to light yet, but I have a feeling we will be seeing more of him in the next book.  He is just a young man, but a wild and somewhat troubled one.
   Donovan is not a new character, but he plays a much bigger part in this book.  He is an honorable man, but questions authority too much for the liking of his superiors and loses his job.  A watchful man that will end up being an unlikely hero.
   Poor Martin is exhausting his resources and himself trying to find a cure for Ewan's curse.  There is a glimmer of hope....
   This story had some very complex parts and separate happenings that all end up twining together nicely!  An easy 5 stars!

A Beauty So Beastly (The Beastly Series Book 1) by Rashelle Workman

 In this somewhat strange remake of Beauty and the Beast, Beatrice Cavanaugh has everything she could ever want.  Everything that is except feelings and emotions.  She feels nothing.  And living in a world where everyone else does is difficult.  She tries to respond appropriately like her parents taught her, but she mostly acts like a spoiled, rich, brat.  And most people seem to think so.  Even the hired help disapproves of her behavior.  Beatrice's parents buy her whatever she wants, including million-dollar cars and diamond tiaras for her birthday.  Her close friends also buy her extravagant gifts to show her how much they care.  And if they don't, they are no longer her friends.  But on her birthday everything changes.  Greg, a guy who is seeing one of her friends, curses her for being so cruel and heartless, and then disappears. In another turn of events, the very good looking Adam comes to work for her in his mother's place and Beatrice suddenly develops emotions.  All of those emotions she should have felt the last 18 years have suddenly come upon her all at once and it is blinding pain for a full day.  The only relief she gets is from Adam touching her.  Not only does she have emotions now, but she is turning into something else, a beast.  She wants lots of rare, red meat and is acting kind of aggressive at times.  Turns out the world is a much different place than she could have ever imagined.  She is a werecat, along with her parents, and there are a lot more supernatural creatures out there besides her.  At her parents strange disappearance, she delves deeper into trying to find out more about what she is and the history behind it.  Along the way she meets some other supernatural friends and finds out some unsavory information about the guy she is falling for, Adam.  But the biggest problem of all is that her life is very much in danger, and she isn't sure who exactly she should trust.


   First things first, Beauty and the Beast is my favorite old school Disney movie.  It always has been.  This is not exactly like that.  It has its similarities, but doesn't exactly run right like the movie.  Which, to me, is good that it has some modifications to it.  Beatrice Cavanaugh seems like an absolutely awful person in the beginning.  But to be honest, if we didn't have emotions and were given everything we ever wanted, how would we act?  Probably the same.  How else was she supposed to gauge how much her friends cared for her than by the money they spent on her?  In her mind it probably seemed rational enough.  When those emotions did pop up, she realized just how awful she had been this whole time.  Her change is nothing short of miraculous.  What I don't understand is if Greg cursed her for being so horrible, how could he completely disappear without a trace and not contact Beatrice's friend again?  It seems pretty cold-hearted to me (the very thing he accused her of being).  And this curse doesn't really seem like a curse.  Not having feelings is more of a curse in my view.  Having feelings thrust upon you after 18 years of having none is what I call outright painful.  Now what is her attraction to Adam?  Why is she attracted to him?  Once you read the book you will understand why they aren't exactly supposed to be together.  Going any further than that would reveal too much though so I won't!  There were several questions I had after reading the book, but there will be more in the series.  Guess you can't give away everything the first book!

Star Rating: 3.5 out of 5    A pretty good read!