Review for Depth (Apalala Clan #2) by Dzintra Sullivan

Depth

(Apalala Clan #2)

Dzintra Sullivan

Blurb:

When true love is at stake, what depth is too deep?

After the complete destruction of the clan’s dome, the five dragon warrior brothers were forced to find a new and safe location to form a fresh start. 

Taryn Miles needs a quick escape from her past, and when the CEO of Disneyland Tokyo loves her unique pin-up look, he offers her exactly that. Taryn’s excited to start afresh in a new country, new job, and a new life.

With the body of Mr. Quade still missing, Attor -second oldest of the dragon brothers- struggles to fight his unease. He knows while a dragon still breathes, the Phoenix will never stop seeking vengeance.

A chance meeting with the flame haired pin-up girl and Attor is torn between the need to protect the clan, and his desire to follow his heart. 

Can this crazy connection float?

Or is it destined to sink under the weight of true love

Review:

After finishing this book, I’ve concluded that Kylee seems to just be attracted to the weird and paranormal. And she’s totally awesome. If only there were a dragon for her...She’s absolutely fearless when it comes to the safety of her friends, including new friend Taryn. And she’s not what she seems either. Taryn has some deep and potentially very unsettling secrets for the dragons. But she is perfect for Attor. He has changed some since book one but the trauma of what they experienced really did a number on him and Q is still at large. Fresh danger and more suspense. The ending really got to me and I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but dang, it left me on the edge of my seat!

5 out of 5 stars!

✰ Universal - 

smarturl.it/Dzintra-S-Depth

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39345000-depth

IMMERSION 
Bk1 - Apalala Clan Novels
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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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Review for The Last Dragon Slayer (Deathsworn Arc Book 1) by Martyn Stanley

Blurb:
Saul Karza, wizard of the Empire, has been given a quest by the Empress herself: To find and slay a mythical 'noble dragon' - said to be near invulnerable.

Instead of leading a large band of soldiers, archers and spell-casters; he sets out with two immigrant dock-workers and a homeless dwarf.

What Saul needs is the legendary 'Last Dragon Slayer' on his side, because on this deadly quest, it's not only Saul's favour with the Empress that's at stake - but also his life.

The Deathsworn Arc Series of Dark, Epic Fantasy Adventure Novels:-
Deathsworn Arc : The Last Dragon Slayer
Deathsworn Arc 2 : The Verkreath Horror
Deathsworn Arc 3 : The Blood Queen
Deathsworn Arc 4 : Rise of the Archmage

The Deathsworn Arc contains graphic violence and mature themes.
Recommended for readers 14+ only.

Review:
It surprised me just how much I liked this book.  I am a fan of The Hobbit series but admittedly have never read the book and I haven't read The Lord of the Rings Trilogy either.  However, this book reminded me of the movies and it was quite an intriguing journey as this little group go off to fight a huge dragon.  There's already a dragon slayer in the midst, a cursed dark elf, an elf, a dwarf, a wizard,  and two dock workers.  They don't sound like much, but together they become quite the group and must endure a few trials and humiliations (mainly one character's humiliation) to even reach their destination.  There is little hope that they will make it out alive without some intervention and the female elf that joins them provides them with some help.  However, the dark elf stays cursed and one of the dock workers becomes quite enamored with the elf, who seems to also have some trouble tailing her as well.  She takes this worker under her wing to attempt to teach him some mental defense against magic and those that can bend other's minds to their will and to help him become a better swordsman.  After all she puts him through, it's amazing the man puts up with it.  But he does and is rewarded for it.  Quite a fascinating read!!

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009ECABOA?keywords=martyn%20stanley&qid=1455237165&ref_=sr_1_1&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23154350-the-last-dragon-slayer

A Raven's Touch by Linda Bloodworth

Today we get to see the cover of A Raven's Touch, by Linda Bloodworth.

Who is Linda Bloodworth?
Linda Bloodworth loves chips, like really, ketchup to be exact. Ketchup chips are only found in Canada. Lucky for Linda she lives in Toronto with her husband and three fur babies. In between writing, debating for hours about the Oxford comma, and the misunderstood semi colon; Linda enjoys camping and getting away from the city on day trips.

Synopsis:
Bullied through high school, seventeen-year-old Justice St. Michaels is grateful for the help of her best friend Moira O’Fhey. Their only wish is to graduate high school, leave the sleepy town of Fallingbrook and all that happened behind them. The Heavens have other plans. Between growths on her back and being involved in explosive school fights, nothing seems to make sense. When an unexpected encounter with Darien Raventhorn causes worlds to collide it exposes the truth about who Justice's real identity. To avenge a family death, Justice must embrace her birthright, and slay the demon before all Hell breaks loose.

Ready?

5....



4....



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2....



1....

Here we go!




What can you expect in A Raven's Touch?
Adventure, friendship, and bit of romance mixed into a very different kind of paranormal story. It's not the formulaic story where there's one type of paranormal hero. Be prepared for Half Angels, Witches, Elves, demons, and a dragon for good measure.

Sample:

       Moira squeezes my arm. 

“We need to get up. Come on. We aren’t going to be sitting ducks. He looks like he wants to start trouble.”  

My heart starts beating faster and I stand up. Moira has already packed her bag, and she pushes mine into my hands. With her hand on the small of my back, she urges me along.  

“It’s a public place, Moira, he won’t hurt us here. He’s all talk, right?”
She looks me in the eyes.  

“Don’t underestimate crazy.”  

We hear a low wolf howl that causes a ripple of fear to flow through me. I stop momentarily. No way is that for us, surely not.

***

Add A Raven's Touch to your TBR pile. Get your Pre-Order on Amazon! 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B018WJX1YC

If you miss the pre-order, don't worry, the official release day is December 28, 2015. 

Connect with Linda: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Blog | Email Linda

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

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?

Cover Reveal!!! The Dragon and the Scholar Book 4: Dragon's Bride by H.L. Burke (available September 19th)

Blurb:

Dragon Prince Ewan has promised his beloved, Shannon, that he will become a man again or die in the attempt. Now he will do anything to make good on that promise.

With the aid of his scholarly friend, Martin, Ewan consults the great Dragon Queen Harviss, who offers him a unique solution: return to the past to find Ewan's Fey ancestor and beg for her help. Leaving Shannon behind, Ewan and Martin travel to a dangerous past and fall into the clutches of a powerful Fey queen. 

Meanwhile, Shannon finds herself alone and with child. Unable to sit still with her husband absent, she joins with Ryan of Westshire in the prince's desperate search for his young son. King Riley, however, will see Ryan dead before allowing him to find the lost child. 

Can Shannon find a way to unite Ryan with his son? Or will the attempt cost her not only her life but the life of her unborn baby? 

Will Martin and Ewan ever find the cure they seek or will they remain trapped in the past and Ewan separated from his bride forever?

Author Bio:

Born in a small town in north central Oregon, H.L. Burke spent most of her childhood around trees and farm animals and was always accompanied by a book.  Growing up with epic heroes from Middle Earth and Narnia keeping her company, she also became an incurable romantic.

An addictive personality, she jumped from one fandom to another, being at times completely obsessed with various books, movies, or television series (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Star Trek all took their turns), but she has grown to be what she considers a well-rounded connoisseur of geek culture.

Married to her high school crush who is now a US Marine, she has moved multiple times in her adult life but believes that home is wherever her husband, two daughters, and pets are.

http://www.hlburkeauthor.com/

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!

Spring Giveaway!! Win ebooks and a print copy!!

In honor of wonderful spring time coming, I am doing a giveaway with H.L.Burke and Caroline Swart!  There are a few reviews of their works on my blog, which I will provide links for, should you want to check out their work!  The prizes will be a signed print copy of The Dragon and the Scholar: Dragon's Debt (H.L. Burke's latest book which came out very recently), an Amazon ebook of The Dragon and the Scholar: Dragon's Curse (H.L. Burke, the first book in the series), and an Aspen and the Dream Walkers (Caroline Swart) Amazon ebook.  This giveaway is open to the US and Canada!  And their are several ways for you to enter!

Here is my review of H.L. Burke's The Dragon and the Scholar: Dragon's Curse: 

http://claricesbooknook.blogspot.com/2014/03/dragons-curse-dragon-and-scholar-volume.html

Here is my review of Caroline Swart's Aspen and the Dream Walkers:

http://claricesbooknook.blogspot.com/2014/01/aspen-and-dream-walkers-by-caroline.html

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out this giveaway!

While everyone is entering the Spring Giveaway, don't forget to visit H.L. Burke's blog and sign up for her giveaway as well!  She is giving away a $10 ecard from Amazon or Barnes and Noble!  Check it out at the link below!!

http://www.typativemamacat.com/2014/04/guest-post-by-lori-j-fitzgerald-author.html

Dragon's Curse (The Dragon and the Scholar Volume 1) by H. L. Burke

   Shannon is a young lady who wants adventure.  She has never been far from where she grew up and wishes to see more of the world.  She wants excitement.  When her friend Martin is asked to send a healer to Regone for King Edmond, she knows this could be her chance.  But Martin warns her that Regone is a cursed place.  I don't think even he knew just how true that actually was.
   On reaching Regone, Shannon is immediately introduced to Roderick, a knight who thinks well of himself and happens to take a keen interest in Shannon.  Being a free woman though, Shannon has the ability to choose who she wants to be with.  Edmond, on the other hand, is a young king, but is sullen and hate driven after the death of his brother at the hand of a dragon.  Edmond is bent on killing any dragon that comes around.  However, dragons are very hard to kill and the king is in no shape to be out slaying dragons.  He was severely burned by one after he went out seeking revenge for his brother, Ewan.  But it had not ended well and only a handful of knights came back alive.  Shannon was here to try and help the suffering king.  But she has a way of saying what she thinks and feels about things that are not exactly suitable for the times, and especially not suited for a king.  She begins to get curious about Ewan and the circumstances surrounding his death.
   Unfortunately life in Regone is rather lonely for Shannon.  She doesn't really have any friends and constantly has to fend off Roderick and his unwanted advances.  To make things worse, the king's distant cousin, Adonna, constantly hovers over Edmond and interferes often with her treatments.  Adonna seems kind of like a creepy woman; one that Shannon wants to stay far away from.  One day though, a dragon is seen in Regone and it stays.  Edmond is crazy over it being there and wants to get rid of it.  Roderick decides he will go slay this dragon and if he does he wants Shannon to marry him.  Shannon protests wildly about it and decides to do something drastic.  She goes to see the dragon herself.  It turns out that he is much better company than anyone else she has met in Regone so far and starts visiting him on a regular basis.  The dragon tends to like her company as well.  Shannon isn't like other women.
   A large twist comes in the story when it is revealed who that dragon really is and what happened to this man to turn him into a dragon.  The circumstances are very strange and lots of things don't add up to Shannon.  The deeper she digs though, the more her life is in danger.  The one that she, the dragon, and her friend Martin are looking for is right under their noses and they have no idea.

   This book is very clean and would be safe for your younger teens to read.  It was a really enjoyable read about castles and knights, magic and curses.  And to top it off you have a heroine that falls in love with a cursed dragon!  However strange it may seem, she sees something else within this dragon that later on in the book reveals itself.  Shannon is a great heroine too.  She is very forward for the times.  She likes to speak her mind and have intelligent conversations.  Brutish men are not her thing and she is in no hurry to settle down with the first knight to ask for her hand.  She is willing to believe in the good in all people and dragons while not being fooled by them either.  Funny enough, she is the only one to be able to win the heart of a cursed prince who doesn't like the normal silly women around him.  I enjoyed this book so much I sat down and read it in one night!  You should check it out!  The next in the series will be coming out in May!