Book Review: Intangible by J. Meyers

Title: Intangible
Series: Intangible, #1
Author: J. Meyers
Self-Published
Release Date: January 29, 2012
Pages: 349
Buy Links: Paperback | Kindle

Blurb:
Twins Sera and Luke Raine have a well-kept secret—she heals with a touch of her hand, he sees the future. All their lives they've helped those in need on the sly. They've always thought of their abilities as being a gift.

Then Luke has a vision that Sera is killed. That gift they've always cherished begins to feel an awful lot like a curse. Because the thing about Luke's ability? He's always right.

And he can't do anything about it.

Excerpt

And then she knew. No vision had ever terrified him. Never. In seventeen years. It was as if his own life were at stake. But he didn't See his own future. He only saw other's. She suddenly had a terrible feeling that she knew exactly whose future he'd Seen. Her voice was a whisper. "Do I get hurt?" His face contorted, but he didn't say anything. "Oh my god. Do I die?" He closed his eyes. "Oh." The air rushed out of her lungs on that one word. She was going to die. Luke's voice was tight, tortured when he said, "We gotta go." He bent down to pick up Sera's bag again, then headed out the door. Sera looked down at her feet. Their book bags lay there. She should probably pick those up, she thought. Luke was already on the porch, waiting. She reached down and grasped the bags, then woodenly stepped outside. Luke stared at her a moment, searching her face, then reached around her and locked the door. He started down the steps, but her voice stopped him. "Luke?" He turned to look at her. She was going to die. She knew she was going to die. But she couldn't stop herself from asking even though she already knew the answer. "Have you ever had a vision that didn't come true?" she said. "Ever?"

Review

This review is way overdue, and oh my, I should have read this book sooner! For a self-published book, it was well edited, and well-written!

When I read the blurb again before reading it, I was skeptical about this book. It was about twins and their powers. It didn't say in the blurb if there was any romance, so I had my doubts going into this. I mean, what's a book without romance? Fortunately, this book had enough romance to satisfy me.

One thing I did not like about this book was the insane secrecy that the "protectors" kept up. It was absolutely annoying how Fae kept telling Luke and Sera that she will explain later, but for now they needed to do as she said. I mean, really, if I was Luke or Sera, I wouldn't listen and just be stubborn and ask! That would have annoyed the reader further so I'm glad Luke and Sera weren't stubborn in that way.

As for the story itself, it was amazing. It was so well-written that I couldn't predict what would happen next. For me, when a story is able to do that, then it is beyond amazing. The mystery was there and it was there until the very end when the conflicts were resolved.

The imagery and the vividness of the story also caught my attention. The author truly did a great job painting a picture in my head of the Realm, Lilith's lair, etc.

Overall, the story and characters were beautifully presented in this amazing book. It deserves more attention than it is getting for sure.

So, what are you waiting for? Scroll up and get your own copy!

Check out my favorite scene :)

"You helped me."

"Yes." She glanced at Luke.

"I didn't ask for your help. In fact, I told you not to help me."

"She never listens," Luke said. Sera shot him a look.

"You needed help," she said.

"And you didn't change me."

"You didn't want me to." She'd done it. She'd actually done it. She'd been able to guide the healing energy, not just be a conduit for it.

"So you can control it?"

"Apparently I can."

"Impressive." Luke grinned at her. "One question."

"Okay."

"Right before Jonas came to?"

She nodded, waited.

"Did you have your whole escape planned out or just partially?"

Sera's eyes immediately flipped back to Jonas.

She could feel the heat rising to her face. "Whole," she said, biting back a smile.

"And were you taking me with you or sacrificing me to the vampires?"

Her smile broke through. "You said one question." Jonas laughed, a sudden loud ricocheting sound.

Sera and Luke jumped back. "What?" he said.

"You laughed," Luke said.

"You're funny," Jonas said. Sera and Luke just stared at him. "What?"

"No, you laughed," Sera said.

"Yeah?"

"Well," she said, "you're a vampire."

"Yeah?"

"Do vampires laugh? I've never even seen you smile."

"Sera." Jonas laughed again. "I lost my mortality, not my sense of humor. Why would you think we don't laugh?"

"Vampires are evil. Menacing. Scary." She glanced at Luke. "That's what it said online." She waited for Jonas to respond. He didn't. "Aren't they?"

"Am I?"

"Hell, yeah. Sometimes."

"Are you a total delight all the time?" Jonas said.

Luke spoke up. "Hell, no." Sera looked around for something to throw at him. There wasn't anything. "I speak from experience," he said, laughing.

"I still have my human ways," Jonas said. "We all do."

About the Author:
J. Meyers grew up in Vermont and now lives in Central New York. When she’s not reading or writing, she’s chasing her four kids around, exploring the outdoors with them, relishing the few quiet moments she gets with her husband, baking sweet treats, and forgetting to make dinner. Though she cannot actually see the future nor heal with a touch of her hand, she likes to think her children believe she can. Intangible is her first novel.

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MUST BE 18 TO ENTER: Interview/Giveaway: Laura Kaye

Title: One Night With A Hero
Series: The Hero Series, #2
Author: Laura Kaye
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Release Date: October 20, 2012
Pages: 188
Buy Links: Amazon

Blurb:

He wants just one night…

After growing up with an abusive, alcoholic father, Army Special Forces Sgt. Brady Scott vowed never to marry or have kids. Sent stateside to get his head on straight—and his anger in check—Brady’s looking for a distraction. He finds it in his beautiful new neighbor’s one-night-only offer for hot sex, but her ability to make him forget is addictive. Suddenly, Brady’s not so sure he can stay away.

…what they need is each other.

Orphaned as a child, community center director Joss Daniels swore she’d never put herself in a position to be left behind again, but she can’t deny herself one sizzling night with the sexy soldier who makes her laugh and kisses her senseless. When Joss discovers she’s pregnant, Brady’s rejection leaves her feeling abandoned. Now, they must overcome their fears before they lose the love and security they’ve found in each other, but can they let go of the past to create a future together?

Interview

1) Where did you get the idea for your Hero series?

Thanks for hosting me here, Arianne! *grins* The Hero series first came to me through the hero in the first book, Her Forbidden Hero. At first, what I saw were mostly impressions of a tortured man, usually in a musical setting of some sort. Gradually, that vision sharpened into the image of a badly damaged man struggling in the near dark to play the guitar. And Marco Vieri was born. Right away, I knew Marco had a best friend that he’d not only grown up with, but served in the Army Special Forces with, and that was Brady Scott, the hero of my newest contemporary romance, One Night with a Hero. And now I’m hooked. There will definitely be a Hero #3!

2) What makes someone a hero in your opinion?

Here’s the dedication to One Night with a Hero:

To all the everyday heroes,

thank you for all you do.

Thank you for acting despite your fear.

Thank you for serving with no expectation of reward.

Thank you for helping because it’s right.

Thank you for inspiring each and every one of us.

Those first three define a lot to me about what a hero is. Heroes don’t have to be fearless—they act in spite of their fears. They’re courageous. Heroes don’t serve because they expect to be called heroes, or to receive any other kind of reward. In fact, most heroes reject those things. They do what they do because it’s right.

3) How did you come up with your character names?

Good question! This time, the character names really just came to me. Marco was just Marco. Brady was just Brady. Even Alyssa’s name (the heroine from Her Forbidden Hero) came to me pretty quickly. The only one that took longer was Joss’s name (the heroine from One Night with a Hero). Initially her name was Jessica/Jess, and something about that just didn’t feel right but I also couldn’t let it go. When I learned more about her and realized she had pink highlights, I went looking for images of girls with brown hair and pink highlights, and found the PERFECT girl…and her name was Joss. Joss Stone. And it was like ding ding ding, THAT’S why Jess wasn’t feeling right, because my character’s name was Joss. I just needed the nudge to realize it!

4) What do you do when you have a writer's block?

Write. When you’re writing under contract, you can’t really allow yourself the luxury of writer’s block. Forcing myself to write—maybe even telling myself I just have to write 100 words today—will usually get me into the flow of writing even more. Sometimes, if I can’t seem to make a scene work, it’s because I’m writing in the wrong point of view—I’m trying to tell the scene from the heroine’s perspective, but this chapter really ought to be from the hero’s. Or, push comes to shove, jump to a scene further into the story you know really well and come back later and connect them. Those can all be tricks to help yourself push through.

5) Is there any young adult books in your future?

I enjoy reading young adult, but I don’t have any current plans to write it. I have had a few ideas I thought would be fun, but right now most of my ideas are in adult contemporary and paranormal romance.

6) Anything you would like to ask our readers?

Well, first I’d like to say a huge THANK YOU to all the readers out there who love books and embrace characters! You guys make what we do possible! But I’d enjoy knowing how all of you define what a hero is. And GIVEAWAY: one commenter who leaves their email address will win an ebook of One Night with a Hero.

Amazon | B&N | Kobo

Website| Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp

See the whole One Night with a Hero Tour here and enter Laura’s Pandora Bracelet Giveawayhere!

“Laura Kaye is synonymous with great, sexy romance.”

~NYT Bestselling Author Jennifer Probst

About Laura Kaye:

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nearly a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. 

A published non-fiction author, Laura’s work as an historian and training as an archaeologist help her create vivid and accurate portrayals of other times and places. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Also check out Her Forbidden Hero - I am working my way into reviewing this book very soon!

Title: Her Forbidden Hero

Series: The Hero Series, #1

Author: Laura Kaye

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Release Date: May 14, 2012

Pages: 146

Buy Link: Amazon 

Blurb:

You always want what you can't have...

She's always been off-limits...

Former Army Special Forces Sgt. Marco Vieri has never thought of Alyssa Scott as more than his best friend's little sister, but her return home changes that...and challenges him to keep his war-borne demons at bay. Marco's not the same person he was back when he protected Alyssa from her abusive father, and he's not about to let her see the mess he's become.

...but now she's all grown up.

When Alyssa takes a job at the bar where Marco works, her carefree smiles wreak havoc on his resolve to bury his feelings. How can he protect her when he can't stop thinking about her in his bed? But Alyssa's not looking for protection--not anymore. Now that she's back in his life, she's determined to heal her forbidden hero, one touch at a time...

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ANTM Review: The Girl Who Freaks Out on Horseback

I loved this episode, except for the elimination!

I don't get it. I thought Kiara got the best photo because Tyra is going to put her picture in her house? Oh well, I love Leila's best photo in the house!

Laura thought she had the commercial in the bag because she grew up with horses. That's not always the case, though. I'm so happy for Kiara, she did a great job when she won the challenge. She just needs to work on her cursing though. Can't be doing that during a shoot.

Nastasia looks great, but she really does look like she's petite. She didn't do so well in the commercial shoot. She practically gave up.

The Dream Come True shoot seems like it's always the biggest challenge for the models. I guess future models just need to learn how to act and project it on their pretty face.

Ew, what is wrong with Laura's face in panel?!

It's starting to look like Leila and Kiara would be left in the top 2. Wouldn't that be interesting?!

The points were so close! 0.3 difference! That is just sad. I hoped Nastasia would have made it, but hopefully she will be somewhere else and make it big one day. She has what it takes in my opinion.

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TV Review: The Vampire Diaries: The Killer

Wow!!! I loved this episode!!! Did anyone else enjoy Elena's rage as much as I did? It was awesome!

Damon & Stefan
-"Shame Spiral" - he really has such a way with words ;)
-I was super curious how Damon and Tyler would kill Connor. It piqued my curiosity just imagining it. As always though, Stefan was the smart brother.

-Stefan verbained Damon... Not cool, Brother.
-Damon will rip Stefan's heart out to get the truth? Seriously, these brothers are crazy...but we love them anyway :)

Damon: "I'm fine with her either way brother. So if I  do this, I'll do it for you."

Bonnie and Professor Sexiness
-The professor is hot, if only he wasn't out to kill the vampires. Bonnie is usually attractive to the wrong guys. *sigh*

Damon & Elena
-I'm glad Damon is okay whether Elena was human or vampire. Their little sparring moment was sexy :)

Damon: This guy's dangerous Elena!
Elena: So am I, Damon!

 -I love that Elena is becoming more of a vampire. She needs to get over her guilt though. Just think of it as the food pyramid.

Elena
Feeding on Connor and then letting her hunger take over? Oh dear. I love fierce Elena. I dislike guilt-ridden Elena. Burying Connor was fine, but she can't bury every person she kills.

Tyler/Caroline/Hailey
So, Tyler really didn't cheat on Caroline? I don't know who to believe anymore. Tyler or Klaus? Then again, Tyler's explanation to Caroline made sense.

Everyone else...
Connor has a misled purpose. Poor guy. April on the other hand is annoying. What's up with Jeremy and those tattoos?!! Dun dun dun...

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Pink Spotlight (16): Bangles

Hi everyone! Happy Sunday! For today's spotlight, I only have one thing to show. I won a set of bangles a few weeks ago from no other than Marsha Thomason! For those of you who don't know, she works side by side with my favorite actor, Matt Bomer, in the USA Network show White Collar. If you've been following my blog, you know that's my obsession. Anyway, she did a sponsored giveaway from Pono for a set of really beautiful bangles. I was so excited to win the giveaway. Check them out below!

Their colors are perfect for fall and I absolutely love them! Thank you Marsha and Pono!

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ARC Review: Dark Nebula by W.J. May

Title: Dark Nebula
Series: The Chronicles of Kerrigan, #2
Author: W.J. May
Publisher: Mitchell Morris Publishing
Release Date: December 15, 2012
Pages: 263

Rae of Hope Review

Book Description:

Nothing is as it seems anymore.

Leery from the horrifying incident at the end of her first year at Guilder Boarding School, Rae Kerrigan is determined to learn more about her new tattoo. looks Her expectations are high, an easy senior year and a happy reunion with Devon— the boy she’s not supposed to date. All hopes of happiness fade into shattered dreams the moment she steps back on campus.

Lies and secrets are everywhere, and a betrayal cuts Rae deeply. Among her conflicts and enemies, it appears as if her father is reaching out from beyond the grave to ruin her life. With no one to trust, Rae doesn’t know where or who to turn to for help.

Has her destiny been written? Or will she becomes the one thing she hates the most-- her father’s prodigy.

Review

Action-packed fantasy with a hint of suspense. W.J. May has outdone herself with this sequel!

Oh my gosh! This book -- WOW! Let's just say I can't wait for the next book!!! That's saying a lot given that this book hasn't even released yet!

Where do I even start? Rae came back from her summer vacation to start her senior year at Guilder. She had her secret relationship and she was more or less comfortable with her tatu. The day she arrived back at Guilder, she had a vision. When she went to talk to Carter, he told her and Devon that her father was reaching out from the grave. Yikes! He created some kind of a brainwashing mechanism. Well that's just a nice welcome back news, isn't it?

Devon and Julian started working for the Privy Council over the summer. It was some kind of underground, secret government. Rae didn't trust it and she didn't like the revelations that she learned along the way about Devon's job.

Molly found a boyfriend and revealed private information to Rae that she would have rather not heard about. That part of the story where Molly revealed something to Rae didn't sit right with me. I thought it didn't fit well with the story.

In this book, there was a new character: Kraigan. Sounds a lot like Kerrigan to me. He was an orphan who didn't know anything about tatus until he turned 16 and suddenly had "superpowers". Carter found him and brought him to Guilder. He didn't want Rae to touch him and mimic his tatu, but he did want Rae to mentor him. From the beginning, I thought there was something suspicious about Kraigan. Let's just say he was what made this book interesting.

I loved the action and the suspense in this book. I truly enjoy books with those elements in it as well as humor, and this book had all three.

This book was mostly focused on three characters. I felt like I missed out a little bit on the other characters, but that's a minor setback. The major trouble I had with this book was the inner thoughts that Rae had. It took away the mystery of the book and it made it sound repetitive at times. Basically, she would think of something and then vocalize something related to that thought. I could have done without it. It wasn't that hard to figure out her thoughts from her dialogue. Anyway, if you can get past that, the book is very enjoyable. I would still recommend it.

Check out these scenes!

      Dressed in a white polo shirt and army pants, Rae did not think she had ever seen him look so handsome. Looking as if he had just stepped out of Top Gun, his hair had a slightly messy appearance, as if he had been running his fingers through it on the drive back from wherever he had been. He even wore the same sunglasses and had dog tags around his neck. He looked...scrumptious. Hello Maverick!

      She started to turn, about to answer Julian, when the door opened. Devon stood with only a towel wrapped loosely around his hips, toothbrush in his mouth.

      "Sorry. I was in the shower, music on and shaving." He whistled as his gaze traveled slowly up and down the length of her body. "You are amazing."

      "Molly did it."

      "Only Molls could convince you to wear an open back dress. You're pretty sexy, hot-looking."

      "You don't look so bad yourself."

      "I try to clean up nicely once in a while. However, I think I'd better get dressed. In case you try to jump me. You have a ravenous look in your eyes."

Where do characters come from? 

The muses in my head create them and they grow as a story develops. Sometimes they mature, sometimes they hit a downward spiral, and sometimes... they have to die.

    Wanita May grew up in the fruit belt of Ontario - St.Catharines.  Crazy-happy childhood, she always has had a vivid imagination and loads of energy.

   The youngest of six -- four older brothers, and a sister --  taught her at a young age to be competitive in all aspects of life.

   At sixteen, she began competing in athletics (track and field) and before she turned seventeen, she was representing Canada in high jump.  She continued to compete, breaking Canada's JR High Jump record (1.92m - 6' 3 1/2" for those metric-ly challenged).  She attented University of Toronto, and Kansas State University - winning CIAU's and becoming All-American 6x - NCAA Indoors Runner Up + more.

  But you're not interested in her athletic career - unless of course you're curious to know she stands 1.70m (5'7") and has jumped 20cm over her head on more than one occassion. She's represented Canada at the World Championships, World Jrs., won Francophone Games, and loved every minute of every competition.  From the grueling workouts, the crazy weights she lifted on her back, the days she thought her lungs were going to spit out of her mouth for lack of oxygen, the travelling around the world and the opportunity to read - her favourite past time.

   Life continued with her husband (a distance runner from Liverpool, UK, who she met at KSU) and then their first, then second and finally third child.  Their house became full of more imagination and stories.

    Wanita and her husband run an online business, dealing in antiques and collectables - particularly jewelry and porcelain (one of the business' website: www.wadeincanada.com ).

  After her father passed away in 2009, from a six-year battle with cancer (which she still believes he won the fight against), she began to write again.  A passion she'd loved for years, but realized life was too short to keep putting it off.

   Her first book, Rae of Hope - from the Chronicles of Kerrigan - will be available October 2011 by kNight Romance Publishing.

  She is currently represented by Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency. Wanita is a writer of Young Adult, Fantasy Fiction and where ever else her little muses take her.

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ANTM Review: Girl Who Becomes Art For Tyra

Hi everyone!
If you've followed my blog, you saw that I started catching up on this season's America's Next Top Model reviews. However, life got busy, and I got lazy. So, I'm just going to proceed to the latest episode with a little recap from last week.

Last week's episode was called The Girls Go To Jamaica.

• Let me tell you, I could not be happier that Leila came back in the competition! She deserved it. Heck, she's dubbed High Fashion Leila for a reason. Why not just crown her the winner already? :)
  
  
• Kiara and her flirting got old really quick. Her distraction will cost her the competition. She needs to focus.
• Kristin is mean. She doesn't deserve to win.
• I'm so glad Nastasia was in the group that won the challenge :) And finally, she got best picture! I'm so happy for her!
  
  
• One of my favorite parts of this episode was Johnny's comment about Kristin: "I don't know why she's still here." Hahahaha!

Now, for this week's episode :)

• Kristin is the most hateful wannabe model I've ever seen. She is the worst model and has the worst attitude. All talk, no delivery. She's super ugly after all that crap this episode. I'm SO glad she finally went home. She won't ever get anywhere.
• Sucks that Laura is still hating on Leila. I bet they both would end up as being the top 2. I can't wait :D Either that or Nastasia. I'd be really happy if that happens - Nastasia and Leila :)
  
  
• Leila!!! I just absolutely love her. I'm so glad she won the challenge and then got a Triple 10 from the judges!! I seriously thought she was going to win best photo. I mean, come on, that was the best picture ever. I was disappointed when they announced that Kiara's picture was the one that's going to get blown up and put in Tyra's place.
  
  
  
  
• Oh wow, I just absolutely LOVED Kelly Cutrone when she picked on Kristin! Score! I also loved that Kiara talked back to Kristin. About time someone stood up to that girl.

Do you watch this show? Who do you want to win?

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