Blog Tour for Forged by Fate by Stacy Von Haegert

As the younger brother to the King of Angels, Stefen Von Emmerich had spent his life resenting his royal obligations and doing the exact opposite of what was expected of him. However, all that 'couldn't-give-a-damn' attitude was hurled right out of his well-guarded window the day he had the misfortune of being killed... 

After being turned into a Vampire, Stefen finds more than his mere existence to be altered. Now a Fallen, a hybrid with his maker's famed Dragon blood coursing through his veins, Stefen must rediscover himself and his newly awakening powers.   

When he is sent on a mission back to Hell, the place of his death, he discovers much more than what he bargained for. A child was left behind as a result of the battle that forever changed him. A victim of the war between the realms. Another hybrid, like him. 

Compelled by reasons beyond his own understanding, Stefen strikes a deal to help the innocent child. As she grows into a beautiful young woman, the more intertwined their two lives become and the more perilous their unique paths grow. It's not long before an old Oracle's words from years ago begin to ring true..."Fate holds the cards. Time reveals the hand."

BOOK #1

Ash LaGoryen was the second son, born of nobility into the Ushum bloodline-House of the Dragon in the year 776. History claims in every generation a child of royal blood is born to the four elemental houses possessing “The gift”- an ability to bend their chosen element. Ash was this child and fire was his gift. But…Possessing such a skill was a dangerous thing for the young boy of only seven summers.

Present day

Ash has spent twelve hundred years staying under the radar of the monster that ransacked his homelands as a boy and later, after years of torture, turned him into the thing he hated the most. A Vampire. The polished gentleman that stands before Ash in the mirror now, conducts his business during the daylight hours and enjoys his lush, reclusive life as one of the world’s wealthiest empire moguls.

Vastly different from the young immortal that escaped the pits of Hell all those years ago, Ash has zero interest of returning to the station of his royal birth. But, when an ancient prophecy comes to light he finds himself dragged right back into the world of his ancestral bloodline. When the foretold “Chosen one”, with the power to unite the realms, turns out to be a beautiful young mortal, Ash is faced with a whole new set of challenges as an impending war looms around them. He will have to weigh his choices carefully as the demons of his past rise up to threaten his future.  

Stacy Von Haegert is the international best selling author of historical romance (the Rose trilogy) and dark fantasy/paranormal romance (the Forged series). She is also a professional ballroom dancer and instructor. She lives in historic downtown Franklin TN with her husband, son, two unruly cats and Belgian Tervuren puppy. 

Her first novel, Under His Protection, debuted in 2015 and ran quickly up Amazon's charts, landing at #2 in U.S and #1 in U.K for historical romance. Stacy went on to expand her literary repertoire by diving head-first into the exciting world of vampires, dragons, angels and elemental benders with her first dark fantasy novel, Forged of Fire. 

When she is not writing or dancing you will most likely find her on a boogie-board, in a canoe, at a sporting event, or reading. Stacy's newest release, Forged by Fate (book 2 in the Forged series) is due out March 20th, 2017. She is also working on a stand-alone historical, Lords, due out in summer, 2017. The 3rd novel in the Forged series, Forged from Blood, will be available in spring of 2018.

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NEW RELEASE AND REVIEW FOR Carved (Road to Hell Book 2) by Brenda K. Davies

Blurb:

River,

As the perilous journey across a country I’d long thought destroyed begins, I don’t know who I am anymore or what I’m becoming. My abilities grow stronger with each passing day, as does the fear of what comes next. All I know is that I will do anything to avoid becoming like Lucifer, and to protect those I love, even if that means protecting them from me.

Kobal,

No matter what it takes, I will keep River safe, even if my actions end up driving a wedge between us. River is mine to protect, no matter how hard that might be to do now that our journey has begun. I won’t stop until Lucifer is destroyed, won’t stop until I claim my throne, and she will be by my side when I do. It’s all just a matter of keeping her alive until then.

***This Series will follow Kobal and River throughout. Not all things will be resolved in this book. Due to graphic language, violence and sexual content this book is recommended for readers 18+ years of age.***

Review:

This author continues to surprise me. I finished Carved in about 24 hours even though it wasn't really a short novel. I was rather engrossed in the book as River and Kobal's journey progressed further. In this book they leave the relative safety of the wall and start towards the opening to Hell. Unfortunately they encounter some nasty demons and...things along the way. There are human casualties as well as a few humans who are barely keeping it together as they watch the atrocities unfolding. I mean, you've got gargoyles, screaming blood lusty vines, and a creepy angel room. It's no wonder people are losing it. Whereas the first book was not as scary, this one is definitely demon and the pits of Hell oriented. One of my favorite things in this book were the skelleins. They were hilarious and yet kind of creepy. But I would love to see more of them! Can't wait until the next book in the series comes out. I am hooked! 

5 out of 5 stars!

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Carved-Road-Hell-Book-2-ebook/dp/B01ICFQY2C/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1476209226&sr=8-5&keywords=brenda+k+davies

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30345046-carved?from_search=true

Brenda on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Brenda-K.-Davies/e/B00DJEEG7C/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1476209767&sr=1-1

Brenda on Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6519859.Brenda_K_Davies

Release Day and Review for Good Intentions (Road To Hell Book 1) by Brenda K Davies

Blurb:

River, 

It has been thirteen years since the war started, the bombs were dropped, and the central states became a thing of the past. When the war ended, a wall was erected to divide the surviving states from those destroyed. I never expected to go beyond the wall but unlike all the others who volunteered to go, I wasn’t given a choice. 

With a dim knowledge of what I could do, the soldiers came for me. They took me beyond the wall where I learned that the truth is far more terrifying than I’d ever dreamed. Alone, with humans and demons seeking to learn what it is I can do, I find myself irresistibly drawn to the one man I should be avoiding most. One who intrigues and infuriates me. One who is not even a man, not really. 

Kobal, 

My entire life, I’ve had only one mission, reclaim my throne from Lucifer and put right everything that was torn apart when he was cast from Heaven. It’s a mission I haven’t wavered from, not even when the humans tore open the gates and unleashed Hell on earth. 

Now, I’ve never been closer to obtaining my goal yet I find myself risking it all because I cannot stay away from her, a human who may be the key to it all. 

***This Series will follow Kobal and River throughout. Not all things will be resolved in this book. Due to graphic language, violence and sexual content this book is recommended for readers 18+ years of age.***

Review:

Once again, this author has gone and created a world that I particularly cannot get enough of!  While demons are something new for her to write about, I feel like she did one heck of a job.  In a story that begins with the earth going into something of a man-made apocalypse, River's life forever changes as things become even harder for her while she tries to care for and provide food for her younger brother, and years later it's for her two little brothers along with her dead beat, useless mother.  River's mother dislikes her to an amount that makes me want to cringe inside.  Really.  None of the fathers of the three children ever stuck around long and it seems that River's father might have just been a drifter.  That is until she is forcibly taken away on volunteer day to work at the wall, where people go to train and fight what they think are other humans.  Boy are they dead wrong on that one.  When they get there, they get a rude awakening that what they are actually fighting are demons coming straight from Hell itself.  Man tore open a hole and now they are wreaking havoc.  Some of the demons want to restore order and get rid of Lucifer, so they are helping the humans.  The main one is Kobal.  He is in charge and looking for a specific person among the humans.  One who has special abilities like River.  While River was taken away forcibly from her family, she finds an ever-growing attraction between her and Kobal.  Things get a little steamy between the two of them when they aren't fighting each other, literally and figuratively.  Loved this read and definitely recommend it!  Can't wait to see more of this series!

5 out of 5 stars!

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Good-Intentions-Road-Hell-Book-ebook/dp/B01EEROA2I/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1467259037&sr=8-3&keywords=brenda+k+davies#navbar

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29406462-good-intentions?from_search=true&search_version=service

Author Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/BrendaDaviesAuthor/?fref=ts

Cover Reveal for Good Intentions by Brenda K Davies

Coming Soon!!

River
It's been thirteen years since the war started, the bombs were dropped, and the central states became a thing of the past. When the war ended, a wall was erected to divide the surviving states from those destroyed. I never expected to go beyond the wall but unlike all the others who volunteered to go, I wasn't given a choice.
With a dim knowledge of what I could do, the soldiers came for me. They took me beyond the wall where I learned that the truth is far more terrifying than I'd ever dreamed. Alone, with humans and demons seeking to learn what it is I can do, I find myself irresistibly drawn to the one man I should be avoiding most. One who intrigues and infuriates me. One who is not even a man, not really.

Kobal
My entire life, I've had only one mission, reclaim my throne from Lucifer and put right everything that was torn apart when he was cast from Heaven. It's a mission I haven't wavered from, not even when the humans tore open the gates and unleashed Hell on earth.
Now, I've never been closer to obtaining my goal yet I find myself risking it all because I cannot stay away from her, a human who may be the key to it all.

Release Day for The Black Rose Chronicles: Torment and Treachery by A.K. Michaels

I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of this book before it was released and it delivered!  You've got action to boot, a crazy and very evil super villain in Basilius, your knight-in-shining armor in Cassius, a god trying to keep balance between good and evil, and the ever-awesome Rose.  And we see a very caring side of Rose that is nice to see in a woman who can really kick some butt and utilize whatever necessary in dire situations.  But I have to say, the author outdid herself with Basilius.  He's downright mean and nasty.  King of Hell is an appropriate term for this guy. But I am still rather fond of the god, Kuan.  He is pretty awesome.

Blurb:

Cassius Allarde, probably the most powerful Vampire in existence, finds out how powerless he is when his newly found mate, Rose, is kidnapped. Out of all of Cassius’ vast capabilities inter-realm travelling isn’t one of them. His anger knows no bounds as he realizes the danger Rose is in, and the lengths they’ll have to go to if she has any chance at survival. 

Kuan, the mysterious man who purports to be a Chinese God, is the only person who can help them. Cassius assembles a rescue team and they head to the one place he never thought he’d venture: Hell. 

Will they reach Rose in time? If they do, will she still be in one piece? Read book 2 in The Black Rose Chronicles to find out. 

Links:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B016QET6GM/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/the-black-rose-chronicles-torment-and-treachery

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27217329-the-black-rose-chronicles-torment-and-treachery

REVIEW The Lost City: The Champions of Darkness (The Lost City Series Book 3) by D.L. Colon

First off, this is a rockin' cover!  I love it!  And it is an good representation of what is going on in the book as well.  I also love how one of our main characters is named Osiris.  But I have to say, who in Hell could possibly outmatch Osiris?  And I mean they are literally in Hell with Lucifer.  In fact, she is the one trying to put together a team to destroy Noryad King.  If you have read any of the books in this series, then you know what I am talking about.  If not, check them out.  The second book, King's Inheritance is my favorite!  And this guy right here is the one wanting to go after my favorite character as a part of Lucifer's plan.  But Osiris has ulterior motives.  This guy just seems to revel in evil.


Blurb:

After the events in Puerto Rico, after the declaration of the New Savior of the world, Noryad King, defeated Raphael, Commander of the Destroyers and taken away his powers, Lucifer has been forced to send someone to look for a new Champion who would be able to defeat Noryad King. 

While looking in Hell, the guard she sent found a long condemned prophet who was screaming, “The Champions of Darkness have been set free.” And he immediately reported back to Lucifer. 

Who are these Champions of Darkness the prophet speaks of? 

Is The Lost City Ready for this? 

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Lost-City-Champions-Darkness-Book-ebook/dp/B0135EQVGY/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1441163513&sr=1-3&keywords=d.l.+colon

The Mortal Instruments: City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

   Clary and Jace once again continue their story.  Sebastian, aka Jonathan Morgenstern, has stepped up his game immensely and once again has put the lives of many into danger.  This time though he comes with the powers of Hell behind him.  His interests have changed, and it seems that he would burn the world down for his own amusement.  The only person who has any hold on his dark heart is Clary.  His sister is the only one he would see unharmed by anyone else.  And Sebastian has made allies that will help him achieve his goals.
   Jace is still battling the Heavenly Fire that burns within his veins.  It is hard to control and because of that fact he has a hard time even kissing Clary because of the fear that he will hurt her in some way.  Evidence suggests that it could happen as well.   Even though it is good news that Heavenly Fire could harm Sebastian, it is almost useless when you don't know how to wield the power inside of you.
   The fight, though, will come down to just Sebastian and Clary.  Unfortunately there will be losses and hurt, double-crossing and more.  The Endarkened warriors Sebastian has created come for them all and want blood.  And if Clary, Jace, and their friends cannot stop Sebastian then the whole world will pay.


"You know what I mean. I don't know how I got here. My life was ordinary. I was ordinary-" (Clary)
"You've never been ordinary," (Jace)


"I remember you said this war was a story of Lightwoods and Herondales and Fairchilds, and it is, and Blackthorns and Carstairs as well, and it's amazing to see them..."  (Tessa)


   City of Heavenly Fire was a very good read; one in an ever expanding line of books about The Mortal Instruments.  However, I do have my few complaints about the book.
1. It was a very long book. Cassandra Clare's books are not exactly known for being short, so this is just a minor inconvenience.  And the story is unwrapped so that it keeps your attention throughout.  That balances out the length of it.
2. Perhaps the biggest complaint I have about the book is the fact that there is a scene with teenage sex taking place.  Anyone who has read the books before knew that it was just a matter of time before Jace and Clary went that far.  What I didn't expect was two teenagers under the age of 18.  In fact, it's pointed out in the book that Jace is 17 and Clary is six months younger than he is.  This one part I just felt was a little unnecessary considering who the audience to many of these books tend to be.  Sex sells but that doesn't mean that you should write it.  The only up side to this is the fact that it doesn't go into great detail about it.  However, there's just a definite element of knowing what is going on. (Should you want to avoid this part, it's about 70% of the way through the book.)
3. Do you ever wonder if there will be an end to the series?  I do.  This is book six and it's looking like there will be another book, although this could have been an excellent ending to the series.  The end of the book is wound up together so well you start to think this is the end. Then at the very end there is that glimmer of more trouble on the horizon for the Shadowhunters.  Isn't there always some type of trouble though?  A series that ends well is much better than one that keeps going until you are absolutely tired of reading the books.  There's only so far you can stretch a story.

Shattering Halos by Sunniva Dee

   Gaia was supposed to die that day.  All of her friends in the vehicle had.  And she was supposed to as well.  Instead she lived.  And while she was lying on the side of the road, unable to move, she watched him.
 He was barefoot and absolutely beautiful.  Maybe even shimmery.  While she was in her hospital room trying to recover from a broken neck, this mystery guy returns.  After a while she starts to think he is just a figment of her imagination.  Once she gets out of the hospital she goes back to school to try and get back to normal again.  Except how can you do that when you lost three of your friends?  And then there is the guy.  He shows back up at school except when Gaia tries to tell her new friend Marina about him and point him out, she doesn't see him.  Is her mind just making this up?  Gaia sure doesn't think so when she goes into the janitor's closet at school to get away from it all and he appears there.  Not only does he appear, but she kisses him.  And he feels real enough.   His name is Gabriel.  And Gabriel is her guardian angel.  He is the reason she is alive.  And he broke the rules for her.  Gaia was never really supposed to see him, but Gabriel has a hard time hiding himself when he is around her.  She feels his presence, and she is falling in love with an angel.  Marina, after finally seeing him, thinks he is a demon because his actions and the attention he gives Gaia doesn't seem like the attention a normal human would get from an angel.  And she is somewhat right.  It isn't normal.  But that doesn't make Gabriel a demon either.  Gradually Gabriel's love of Gaia starts making him act more human.  His want of her and need to be around her is more human than angel and there is no explanation for it.  He also doesn't understand why he isn't being punished for breaking so many of the rules with her.  Although he is in love with her more than he is willing to openly admit, he is fighting it and trying to do what is right.  But their love has set in motion something much bigger than anything they could ever imagine.  A war could be started between angels, demons, and the fallen angels.  All of Hell wants to take back over Heaven, and they have a plan that could succeed.


   For this to be Sunniva Dee's debut book, it is a great start into the writing world!  A book about angels and demons and forbidden love between a guardian angel and a human makes for a good read.  You go through most of the book wondering if punishment is going to be handed down from on high.  But the truth to everything turns out to be more shocking than how Gaia and Gabriel had wondered all along if this thing between them would be so completely ended that she would never see him again and possibly not even remember him.  However, the journey to the great catalyst is one full of wondering what Gaia and Gabriel should do, whether they should just give in to their feelings or fight it and try to go on as it should be, with Gabriel being the invisible guardian he was meant to be.  But the journey is heavy with temptation, and Gaia's willpower is not near as strong as Gabriel's.  Once she realizes what could be at stake she tries to be good, but all she can see is him, even when she can't see Gabriel.  The temptation to just fling themselves off of that precipice is great indeed.
 


 
 

   

Masquerade (Heven and Hell Series Book 1) by Cambria Hebert

 One night when it was dark, Heven was attacked and mauled.  She ended up with permanent scars on one side of her face.  Ugly and large scars.  Obvious to everyone who saw her.  People stared at her, whispered behind their hands.  It changed her.  She had been the popular cheerleader with lots of friends and a social life.  Now she was a recluse.  She shied away from everyone and wore hoodies and her hair down so that it would cover her scars.  She was quiet.  And her social life was almost non-existent.  Her only friends being Cole and Kimber, who went to school with her.  Cole and Kimber were dating and had been for quite a while now, even though they had the occasional breakup.
   Then a new guy shows up.  Sam.  He is tall and super handsome.  It seems to Heven that he is interested in Kimber, who was bent on giving Cole a hard time while they were broken up by making him insanely jealous.  And it works.  They get back together and it becomes very apparent that Sam is more into Heven.  He tells her she is beautiful.  And he is the only one who has ever touched her scars.  It takes Heven a while to really start believing that Sam actually likes her, and wants to be with her.  All the while, he is also trying to keep her from being the victim of another attack.  What she doesn't know is that Sam knows exactly what happened, even though Heven can't remember.
   Sam and Heven are on a tough road.  Through a series of attacks, Heven realizes just how much her life is in danger.  And Sam has a confession to make.  He is a hell hound.  And Heven was attacked by a hell hound.  Sam unknowingly drew attention to Heven by being so interested in her before they ever met.  He accidentally saw her one day and was charmed, pulled in by her.  And because of that, China, the "leader" of their little group of hell hounds attacked Heven.  And she intends on finishing the job.


   The story line in Masquerade is a rather unique one to me.  I have not read too many books that involved hell hounds, especially ones that morph into humans and fall in love.  But Sam and Heven do fall in love.  He always feels like he is undeserving of her love and she feels like she isn't good enough for him because she is so scarred.  But what is truly going on is the fact that she is holding herself back.  Once she starts opening up again, people flock back to her, glad to have her back to "normal".  This creates some tension and jealousy between Heven and Kimber.  It makes Heven start questioning their friendship, but that story must be continued in the next book because it is not completely played out in this one.  There are bigger things going on in this first book.  Like how Sam is appointed Heven's guardian when they find out that she is a Supernatural Treasure and will be in quite a bit of danger.  The two of them together could turn the tide of whether good or evil will reign on Earth.  It is a big responsibility and I cannot wait to see more in the next book!!

*images via Cambria Herbert