Wednesday, January 27, 2016

A Book of Spirits and Thieves (Spirits and Thieves #1): A Review

Goodreads (Description):

Modern-day sisters discover deadly ancient magic in book 1 of this Falling Kingdoms spin-off series!

Worlds collide in this suspenseful, page-turning Falling Kingdoms spin-off series, which explores a whole new side of Mytica—and an even darker version of its magic.
Crystal Hatcher, Modern-day Toronto: It’s a normal afternoon in her mother’s antique bookshop when Crys witnesses the unthinkable: her little sister Becca collapses into a coma after becoming mesmerized by a mysterious book written in an unrecognizable language.

Maddox Corso, Ancient Mytica: Maddox Corso doesn’t think much of it when he spots an unfamiliar girl in his small village. Until, that is, he realizes that she is a spirit, and he is the only one who can see or hear her. Her name is Becca Hatcher, and she needs Maddox to help get her home.

Farrell Grayson, Modern-day Toronto: Rich and aimless Farrell Grayson is thrilled when the mysterious leader of the ultra-secret Hawkspear Society invites him into the fold. But when he learns exactly what he has to do to prove himself, Farrell starts to question everything he thought he knew about family, loyalty, and himself….

Fate has brought these young people together, but ancient magic threatens to rip them apart.
My Review:

This series is a spin off of the AMAZING Falling Kingdoms series. I went back through my blog only to discover that I only have the third book, Gathering Darkness, in the Falling Kingdoms series reviewed. Take my word that this series is fantastic! And, A Book of Spirits and Thieves was a wonderful start to what I believe will be an equally awesome side series.

In this book, we follow Crystal Hatcher, Maddox Corso, and Farrell Grayson.

And man, did these characters produce some plot twists and spins. This series occurs in modern day and ancient Mytica. I do suggest reading this in the order of publication with all the Falling Kingdoms and Spirit & Thieves (like with the Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices series). You don't have too, but it makes for more surprises and makes more sense because you already have some background to Ancient Mytica.

Anyway, in Falling Kingdoms, I never knew who that good guy was. No was was explicitly good, so I was always at conflict as to who I should be rooting for (which made the series even more fun). However, I think for this side series, Rhodes invented genuinely good people. At least, I'm hoping she did. Crystal, her sister Becca, and Maddox seem like they will be fighting for the good side. I'm really hoping so, that would make this series distinct from Falling Kingdoms and give me hope that someone does the right thing for once.

Farrell however, I super hate that guy. I liked him okay in the beginning, but then he became insane. Granted, it wasn't all his fault...still, he had his choices and the signs were all around him. Once he joins the deeper ranks of the Hawkspear Society, he grows worse and worse. So much so that he reminds me of a few characters from Falling Kingdoms and made me shiver a bit.

The Hawkspear Society had many dark twists and turns that set everything running. This is the source of all the problems and I am scared yet also extremely intrigued to see what Rhodes has planned for this society. For the leader is from Mytica. How he got to the modern world is still a mystery. I just know he's insane and very, very evil.

I don't really know how to dive into the story without giving too much away, because there is just so much awesome in this book (no kidding, I couldn't put this down). I love the way Rhodes writes. It's so realistic and I'm walking right along with her characters, even the scary ones. If you fell in love with the Falling Kingdoms like I did, you will for sure love this side series. As far as I can see, there will be three in the Spirits and Thieves and six in the Falling Kingdoms.

If you love books filled with adventure, intrigue, and only a hint of romance, I really suggest these series. I am so happy to discover that this side series is going to be fantastic.

I give this a 4.5 out of 5!

Monday, January 25, 2016

GRAND FINALE BLITZ: Tevanon and Kensic: Turlot

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.


Book Tour Grand Finale for
Tevanon and Kensic: Turlot
By Tyson Clarke


Did you enjoy visiting this fantastical land as bloggers shared reviews and excerpts? If you missed any of the stops, go back and check them out now...

Launch - Author Interview


1. What is your motivation behind Tevanon and Kensic: Turlot? Why did you want to write it?



I wrote a short story about these characters when I was in college, back in 1995, and then converted it to a short (film) screenplay. Tevanon and Kensic were adults in those versions, but I always thought it would make a cool young adult adventure if the brothers were younger. And so, nearly twenty years later I rewrote it into a novel in that vision. I may be somewhat bias, but I think I was right; it does make for a cool young adult adventure!





Tevanon barged into the hut, his long brown hair swaying over his burgundy tunic that hung below the waist of his goat hide pants. He was big for thirteen, already taller than most grown men and easily as strong. Tevanon was molded after his father who was a huge man with great physical strength. “Uncle Yelob!” he shouted. “Can we practice sword fighting?”





Many things caused Tevanon’s temper to flare. Cheating was one of those things, and so was a slandering comment about one of his family members. Ecrom knew this and did it on purpose. He was rather devious and malicious when it came to getting Tevanon into trouble, and mostly because he was jealous of the younger boy’s size and abilities. One of those abilities was hand-to-hand combat; Tevanon grabbed Ecrom and hurled him haphazardly. Ecrom crashed down at the feet of his father and looked up. “Tevanon has lost his temper again, father!”





Avor, Wix and Hedik surveyed the dead brigands in hopes of finding one of them alive so as they could question him. As they meandered through the scattered bodies, they found men from every nation, men of light skin and dark, short of stature and tall, and the weapons they carried were equally assorted. The question, of course, was what brought together this reckless collection of thugs and criminals? What was their purpose?





"The characters are easy to visualize. The various scenes are portrayed well. The Book Cover is attractive, depicting the crux of the story, and the title fits very well."



Colorimetry - Excerpt


Deep within the haunted caverns of Dezvil, well beyond the jurisdiction of men, there was said to be the sacred place of the sorcerers who ruled the land thousands of years ago. No living person dared journey to this place, not without the protection of a powerful spell cast by a powerful sorcerer. But all of the powerful sorcerers had vanished, either killed or too old to live, and not one of them had yet found the pathway back to the living. Or so was thought, until now.





"The exploit in this story is fun, as well as has many engaging and like-able characters. This story has a bit of violence, but is not overly graphic, but I would recommend it older teen readers."



Life as Leels - Review


"Being an adult who read it, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would and would recommend it! It would be a great book for young male readers and I think female readers can enjoy it as well!"





Tevanon drew his sword at the man’s first word. He could see the vague outline of a person sitting against one of the twisted trees. He didn’t appear threatening, but Tevanon was taught to error on the side of caution.



Mel's Shelves - Excerpt


Tevanon shrugged as a woman darted out from the darkness. Her dress was torn and tattered, her hair unbound and tangled, and mud was splattered across her legs and bare feet. She met eyes with Tevanon. “Help me, please!” Her cry was desperate.





Both Tevanon and Kensic knew what that meant. It meant the members of the Elite Guard of Detoa had been hijacked and the jewel stolen. Disappointed by this unexpected news, the brothers found a nearby inn where they could stay for the night. The main entry led to a dimly lit common area with various tables set around a large circular hearth. It was a place for eating and drinking and being merry. On this afternoon, though, being merry was not part of anyone’s demeanor.


Tevanon and Kensic: TurlotTevanon and Kensic: Turlot
by Tyson Clarke

MG/YA Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, 304 pages

October 19th 2015


Upon the shores of the Laughley Sea, in the shadows of the jagged Northland Mountains and not so far south as the blistering Aronee Desert, there exists a land of lush forests and golden plains. This land is known as Lynsid, a once great nation that has suffered through more than a decade of demoralizing wars. The brothers Tevanon and Kensic were born to Lynsid like their parents and grandparents before them. They know no other life and have never been outside the borders of their homeland. Lynsid, however, is on the verge of collapse and rumors of a Vlagen invasion spur a mass migration. At first, the brothers have no intention of leaving their birthplace, but soon enough they have no choice and find themselves on the trail to a land called Turlot where their Great Uncle Welksley resides.



At just thirteen-years-old, Tevanon is already highly skilled in swordsmanship, and his nine-year-old brother Kensic is mentally gifted. These attributes are useful, but the journey to Turlot will test not only their brawn and brains, but also their faith and tactfulness. The brothers learn quickly the world is filled with endless adversity. Treachery is in plain sight, evil sorcery is silently stirring, and an immortal army is lying in wait! If the brothers wish to survive, they must be vigilant, they must be brave, and they must believe in themselves.







Tyson Clarke attended San Jose State University where he studied creative writing and film production. Post graduation, he found success as a technical writer then pursued other interests before rediscovering his passion for writing stories with encouragement from his wife and biggest fan.


Website - Goodreads - Facebook

Tour Giveaway



$25 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally)

Print copy of Tevanon and Kensic: Turlot (US only)

ebook of Tevanon and Kensic: Turlot (open internationally)

Ends January 30th



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Friday, January 22, 2016

GRAND FINALE: When Love Matters Most

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.


Book Tour Grand Finale for
When Love Matters Most
By Kate James

Now More Readily Available in Print

This is an exciting time for Harlequin Heartwarming. Thanks to the loyalty of our readers, for the first time, our January releases, including When Love Matters Most, are available as mass-market paperbacks through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Harlequin.com. Also, When Love Matters Most will be available in select Walmart stores in the United States in February! Please check the Harlequin website for the location nearest you. Thank you to all our readers who made these advancements possible for us!

— Kate


We hope you found out more about the characters and the research behind the K-9 Trilogy, and also enjoyed all the reviews! If you missed any of the stops, go back and check them out now...



"I especially enjoyed the various elements to this story. There's a mystery/suspense angle that plays well into the romantic angle, which is complicated. I enjoyed the family relationships, the new friendships, and the loyalty to each. This is definitely a series I plan on continuing to read!"



Becky on Books - Interview

What inspired you to write this book?

I have tremendous respect and appreciation for law enforcement personnel who dedicate their lives to keeping us safe, and I love all animals, with a particular fondness for dogs. Combining these two things, the K-9 trilogy was a natural outcome for me.

Sunrise Avenue - Review

"Still, 'When Love Matters Most' is a heartwarming novel. They've got that part down pat! The content is clean and still romantic. Madison is a strong female character and Rick is a man with jaded past and a big heart. Together they tackle obstacles and come to realize that perhaps what is matters most, is love. :)"


"A sweet romance with a dash of suspense, When Love Matters Most gives another fascinating peek inside the world of police dogs and their handlers. While it starts out a bit heavy on narrative, the dialogue eventually evens out and the pace flows smoothly from there. Kate James has obviously done her research, and readers will appreciate K-9 officers on a whole new level after reading When Love Matters Most."


"This engaging and entertaining story will delight readers, along with fun and easily-relatable characters. I would recommend this story to readers that enjoy contemporary novels with a mix of romance and mystery thrown in."


"Overall, this was a good book. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. It was good to get to know Rick and Madison and also to see the characters from the previous book in this series. I'm looking forward to the next book!"


deal sharing aunt - Interview

What would you like my readers to know?

I would like your readers to know how much I sincerely appreciate that they choose to spend their valuable and limited leisure time reading this post or one of my books. I am also very grateful when a reader posts a review or reaches out to me to let me know how they enjoyed one of my books.

Colorimetry - Ten Character Traits of A Veterinarian

Madison Long, the heroine from When Love Matters Most, is a veterinarian. Not only is she the primary caregiver for the San Diego Police Department’s police service dogs, she is conducting ground-breaking research involving platelet-rich plasma therapy, to help animals heal from injury.

I Am A Reader - Ten Reasons to be a K-9 Officer

Rick Vasquez, the hero from When Love Matters Most, is a sergeant with the San Diego Police Department’s K-9 Unit. His job is to thwart drug trafficking. He’s been partnered with narcotics detection canine, Sniff, since he joined the K-9 Unit. Rick and Sniff are as close as is possible for any person and dog to be. Here are ten reasons why it’s advantageous to be a K-9 officer working with a police service dog partner.

Mel's Shelves - Review

"I loved watching their relationship develop! It felt natural and they had some great conversations. Those did lead to a huge issue that came between them and I honestly wasn't sure if they would be able to resolve it. There was also mystery and suspense in this book, which made me love it even more. I loved this book from beginning to end!"

Slice of Life - Review

"The author shows knowledge concerning K-9 Units, and she has artfully woven police business together with a romantic story. When Love Matters Most is a book that’s difficult to put down, and I can honestly say this is my favorite of the Kate James novels I’ve read so far."


"Another great one that wrenches at your heartstrings! The 2nd book in The K-9 Trilogy did not disappoint. I loved meeting Rick and Madison and it was great to see Cal & Jessica again from the first book in the series."



Falling Leaves - Review


"When Love Matters Most is a story that touches the reader so closely that this book was so easy to fall in love with. I really like the characters because of their heartwarming personality."



underneath the covers - Heroes Chat


To celebrate our releases, we decided to bring our heroes together to talk about the challenges law enforcement officers face sustaining relationships. As our scene opens, K-9 Unit sergeant Rick Vasquez, the hero from When Love Matters Most, is nursing a beer at Buster’s Beach House Bar in San Diego, after having broken off with his love, veterinarian Madison Long. Unexpectedly, he sees FBI Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) agent Kylie McKenzie, who Rick had met a number of years ago when he and his narcotics detection dog, Sniff, assisted the FBI with a drug-related hostage case...


Teatime and Books - Researching the K-9 Trilogy


Having had only a passing knowledge of police service dogs through a friend who used to be a handler, I knew I had to do research, and it turned out to be a lot of fun....After securing the requisite security clearance and necessary approvals, I had the great pleasure of spending a considerable amount of time with PC Jim Hilton of Ontario’s York Regional Police.



Rockin' Book Reviews - Character Descriptions & Reviews


Enrique (Rick) Vasquez, alias Pitbull, is a sergeant with the San Diego Police Department’s K-9 Unit. His job is to thwart drug trafficking. He’s been partnered with narcotics detection canine, Sniff, since he joined the K-9 unit. Rick was born in Mexico to parents deeply immersed in the drug trade...



"You will be cheered, mesmerized, enraptured, captivated and more with Kate James New Novel, 'When Love Matters Most!'"





Enrique flinched at the burst of gunfire. That slight motion nearly made him lose his balance. He’d been hiding in the corner of his closet for a while, as high up as possible, bracing himself with his back against one wall and his feet against the facing wall. It wasn’t the first time he’d hidden there, trying to avoid discovery, but at twelve he was almost too big to fit. His muscles spasmed from the exertion. He rubbed his thigh, trying to get the blood circulating.





"Would I recommend this book? You bet. Anyone can read it and I think that they should. Crisp writing, great characters and a plot that is revelant today. Plus, its just a great romance. "

When Love Matters Most (The K-9 Trilogy, #2)When Love Matters Most
(K-9 Trilogy #2)

by Kate James

Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 368 pages

January 1st 2016 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Keeping her safe at all costs



Could their backgrounds be any more different? Rick Vasquez, a K-9 unit sergeant with the San Diego Police Department, fled drug-related violence in Mexico as a boy. Madison Long, who recently became primary veterinarian to the SDPD's canines, is the privileged daughter of a judge. Rick has dedicated his life to curtailing cross-border drug trafficking and preventing other young boys from being drawn into the dark world of the cartels.



But everything Rick and Madison value, and the growing love between them, is threatened by the dangers of Rick's job, and the risks he's determined to take…





Kate James spent much of her childhood abroad before attending university in Canada. She built a successful business career, but her passion has always been literature. As a result, Kate turned her energy to her love of the written word. Her writing has been recognized with a number of awards, including first place honors for Silver Linings in both the First Coast Romance Writers’ Published Beacon Contest and Ancient City Romance Authors’ Heart of Excellence Readers’ Choice Award. Her November 2014 Harlequin Heartwarming release, A Child’s Christmas, received first-place honors from Southern Magic, the Birmingham Chapter of the Romance Writers of America, for the 2015 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, placed second in the Ancient City Romance Authors’ Heart of Excellence Readers’ Choice Award, and was a finalist in RWA’s Desert Rose Chapter’s Golden Quill Award and the Colorado Romance Writers’ Award of Excellence. Finally, her October 2015 release, When the Right One Comes Along, the first book in her K-9 trilogy, has received a Best Book of 2015 award in the contemporary category.

She and her husband, Ken, enjoy traveling and the outdoors with their beloved Labrador Retrievers, Harley and Logan.

Kate would love to hear from you! You can connect with her by e-mail, through her website, her Facebook page, Twitter, or mail at PO Box 446, Schomberg, ON, L0G 1T0, Canada.

Tour Giveaway



- $40 Amazon eGift Card & signed copies of The Truth About Hope and When the Right One Comes Along

- 3 winners of signed copies of When the Right One Comes Along

Open US/CAN only

Ends January 23rd



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Tuesday, January 19, 2016

GRAND FINALE: Warming Hearts at Walmart

On tour with Prism Book Tours.

We're thrilled to be spreading the word about Harlequin Heartwarming books now being available in local US Walmarts. Find out if they're at a Walmart by you here. Heartwarming titles are also 35% off at Walmart through the end of January!



Post a Selfie and Win 1 of 15 Walmart Gift Cards!


Join in the fun by taking a selfie with a Heartwarming book (maybe one of the December releases above) and posting publicly on social media to enter to win a Walmart gift card. The giveaway ends January 20th, so post your selfie by then!

Ten Heartwarming authors shared their own selfies and messages at each stop of the tour! If you missed any, go back and check them out now...


I Am A Reader - Amy Vastine






I am so excited that Heartwarming books are now available at Walmart, so some lucky girl can go visit her aunt and possibly stumble across one of MY books and fall in love!



Mel's Shelves - Anna J. Stewart



I was thrilled to find a home in the Heartwarming line. Writing these sweet romances that emphasizes the emotional adventure of falling in love feels almost like a calling and now, that dream I thought I'd achieved has now grown. The Heartwarming line is now available in select Walmarts!



deal sharing aunt - Cari Lynn Webb



I’m thrilled that I’ll get to add more Heartwarming books to my bookshelves now that Heartwarming paperbacks will be available at Wal-Mart. A Heartwarming story will be within reach no matter if I pick up my Kindle or a paperback… there’s nothing better than that.






I still have my first love. Yes, I’m talking about a book. But not just any book. This is the one that began my life-long, unshakeable and abiding love affair with the written word.



Katie's Clean Book Collection - Catherine Lanigan



Our stories have depth, heart, emotion and the characters are so real, as a reader you feel you would “know” these people on sight. . . . I believe in “happily ever after” and through Heartwarming and Walmart, we’re able to bring more of these moving stories to the people who have been searching for something touching and magical.



Babs Book Bistro - Leigh Riker



It's not always easy to find a romance that's clean and wholesome with a rich, compelling plot and multi-faceted characters to root for all the way to a happy ending. . . . You can trust this brand of our books in the line each month to provide a great reading experience. Pick up a copy (or more) today. And enjoy!



Love, Laughter, Friendship - Melinda Curtis



I admit, most of the books I buy nowadays are ebook, but I almost always buy books I enjoy in their print form. Those keepers mean a lot to me.



Heidi Reads... - Pamela Tracy




I love, love, love finding a new book on the shelf, taking it in my hand, feeling the smooth cover and turning the book over to read the blurb. Buying the book is taking a pan of warm brownies out of the oven. Reading the books is eating the gooey chocolate and never wanting to stop.



Now, Harlequin Heartwarmings will be in stores as well. Wow, it feels a little bit like Christmas.






But if I have the option of spending time in a real brick-n-mortar bookstore and buying a tangible book that I can anticipate experiencing with all my senses, I go straight to print books. And if I see someone running their hand across a book they've been looking for forever then closing their eyes and breathing it in like they've found a treasure, I'd understand.



Bookworm Lisa - Tara Taylor Quinn



Walmart has signed on to put one of my favorite lines, Harlequin Heartwarming, on the shelves of over 400 stores! That’s four more Harlequin books a month. Books filled with emotion and strength. Books that embody the love and hope that the people in our world so desperately seek.



Tour Giveaway

15 - $10 Walmart Gift Cards
- Rules: To enter, take a selfie at a local Walmart with a Heartwarming book and post publicly on social media (can be your hands, your face, etc. with a Heartwarming book). Can enter once each day with a different picture each time. Those who post the same picture multiple times will be disqualified. Those who only post privately (so that it can't be viewed publicly) will also be disqualified.
- US Only
- Ends January 20th

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Monday, January 18, 2016

Cover Reveal: The Society


The Society
by Jodie Andrefski
Release Date: May 3rd 2016
Entangled Teen



Summary from Goodreads:

Welcome to Trinity Academy’s best-kept secret.

The Society.

You’ve been handpicked by the elite of the elite to become a member. But first you’ll have to prove your worth by making it through Hell Week.
Do you have what it takes?

It’s time to find out.

Samantha Evans knows she’d never get an invite to rush the Society—not after her dad went to jail for insider trading. But after years of relentless bullying at the hands of the Society’s queen bee, Jessica, she’s ready to take down Jessica and the Society one peg at a time from the inside out.

All it’ll take is a bit of computer hacking, a few fake invitations, some eager rushees…and Sam will get her revenge.

Let the games begin.




Buy Links:

AmazonBarnes & NobleiTunesKoboAmazon UKAmazon CAThe Book DepositoryBooks a Million







About the Author

Jodie Andrefski has been passionate about reading ever since she was a little girl, when she used to climb trees to escape with a favorite book. She now lives and writes in a small town in Pennsylvania with her teenage daughter. Though still an avid reader, she now prefers a comfy chair over the crook of a tree. An unapologetic coffee fiend, she's even happier if her java comes with pie. Jodie often draws on her background in education and mental health counseling to bring real world experience to her writing. She is a firm believer in the magic of a first kiss, and insists that you should never, ever give up on your dreams.


Author Links:





Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Of Neptune (The Syrena Legacy Book 3): A Review

Goodreads (Description):

Emma, who is half human and half Syrena, and her Syrena love, Galen, need time together. Alone. Away from the kingdoms of Poseidon and Triton. Emma’s grandfather, the Poseidon king, suggests the two visit a small town called Neptune.

Neptune is home to both Syrena and Half-Breeds alike. But Emma and Galen didn’t sign up to be peacemakers between the ocean-living Syrena and the land-dwelling, freshwater counterparts. They didn’t bargain for meeting a charming Half-Breed named Reed, who can barely disguise his feelings for Emma. And they especially didn’t expect to find themselves in the middle of a power struggle that threatens not only their love, but their ocean kingdoms.

In this stunning conclusion to her bestselling Syrena Legacy, Anna Banks thrills fans with more action and romance than ever.


My Review:

The final chapter with Galen and Emma. I do have to say, that this book did have more action than the first two, but there was also an introduction of a character I didn't particularly appreciate.

The book begins with Emma's grandfather, the Poseidon king telling her of a city called Neptune. It is filled with Half-Breeds like Emma. Only, they're not only Half-Breeds. Many of them have the Gift of Poseidon also like Emma.

Galen doesn't appreciate being hauled to a city of Half-Breeds. He doesn't really know how to take it because he knows Emma loves it, but this is also against Syrena law. He and Emma have a fight about it, then Galen leaves to cool off, only to get himself kidnapped.

So of course, Emma has no idea why Galen has suddenly disappeared and the "awesome" Half-Breed whom I didn't like at all simply because he caused unnecessary problems, started hitting really hard on Emma. Here's the thing. I don't like love triangles. Never have. So to introduce one in the last book when Emma and Galen already have established their relationship bothered me. The guy's name was Reed.

Alone, Reed was a great guy. Good looking and very flirtatious, but also caring and courageous. A nice, solid character. He just shouldn't have been a plot twist.

I did appreciate that Emma wasn't a wishy-washy idiot who suddenly threw her feelings for Galen away. I liked that she stayed strong and really discovered for herself that Galen was the one she wanted. That's the only reason why this book didn't Extremely bother me. Don't introduce a possible love interest in the last book. Just...no.

Anyway, there is a lot of mystery going about the town of Neptune. A lot of secrets hidden by bitter hearts. I loved the adventure and intrigue in this story. It was a pleasant surprise since most of this series focuses on Galen and Emma's romance.

The end was a tiny  bit  of a let down (really, it wasn't bad, just a personal preference). It was like, surprise! Everything is fixed now...I mean, I can see why Banks did it, because explaining all the stuff in between might have been tedious...I just would have liked more of an explanation on how the ocean Syrena handled the Neptune Syrena.

Ah well. I did thoroughly enjoy this series, however. If you like mermaid stories, this is a good one to look into.

I give this a 3.5 out of 5!

Monday, January 11, 2016

Grand Finale!! The Ghost Chronicles

On tour with Prism Book Tours.


Book Tour Grand Finale for
The Ghost Chronicles
By Marlo Berliner

We've delved into what it would be like to be a ghost in the afterlife, met Michael and Sarah, and learned more about the book's setting. If you missed any of the stops, feel free to go check them out now...


Launch - Interview

What is your motivation behind The Ghost Chronicles? What do you hope readers take with them after they’ve read it?

The best stories lie at the intersection of truth and imagination. The Ghost Chronicles began this way, as well. I had my ‘eureka’ moment one day while sitting on the beach in the Outerbanks of North Carolina (for those of you who don’t know where that is, I urge you to find out and go visit). At the time, I was reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Chapter Eight, The Deathday Party, deals with ghosts and what it might be like to ‘live’ in the afterlife, so that provided the spark that ignited the fire to write The Ghost Chronicles. As a flood of ideas filled my head, I scribbled down a rough outline and the book quickly took shape.

Teatime and Books - The Characters


My hero, Michael Andrews, is very much drawn from my own two boys, Michael and Andrew. Both of them are tall, handsome and athletic. In my story, Michael Andrews is an eighteen year old basketball star with a promising future, set to play for University of Pittsburgh after graduation. He has an impressive build and more importantly, a strong character.

Since Sarah is supposed to be Irish, I decided she would have long, wavy red hair and emerald green eyes. I wanted her to be a character as full of life as Michael. Her spirit is said to be playful and mischievous, so that’s the kind of character I was aiming for.

Life as Leels - Review

I am not one who typically reads books more than once, but this one will remain on my Kindle to read again in the future. That doesn’t happen often, but when I find a book like this, it’s a treasure to hang on to!

deal sharing aunt - The Setting

The Angel of the Sea is one of the most recognized Victorian structures in the United States. Legend has it that in the late 1960’s, a girl fell to her death at the Angel of the Sea and did at one time, haunt the inn. The story of the girl has been included in several non-fiction books about ghosts in Cape May. My heroine in THE GHOST CHRONICLES, Sarah McConnell, was inspired by this legend.



As he opened his eyes, his vision blurred. After a few seconds, the inside of his car came into focus and his mind flashed through the last scenes in his memory. I was driving…there was a bend in the road…and sunlight reflecting off the grill of a truck…

Becky on Books - Excerpt

No matter how he tried to joke about it though, he couldn’t shake the feeling someone, or something, was watching him from the darkness. He stopped and stood stock-still, listening.

Wishful Endings - Ghost Stories

To me, the best ghost stories are those that portray spirits in a realistic, believable way. In order to get past the suspension of disbelief, we need to be able to see ourselves in their shoes and buy into the possibility that there may be something beyond this earthly existence.

100 Pages A Day - Review

"I was pulled right into this story about Michael’s trials and learning about how to be a ghost. It was really interesting to see his struggles with leaving his family and girlfriend behind, especially in the absence of his father. . . . I will definitely be reading the second book!"

Mel's Shelves - Romance in The Ghost Chronicles

To me, the best stories are those that forge an emotional connection with the reader. And what forges a better connection than a romance? In writing THE GHOST CHRONICLES, I realized about a quarter of the way through that it was missing something. This was Michael’s story of being stuck in the afterlife, but it needed more. The story really came together when I had the epiphany of adding Michael’s romance with another ghost, Sarah.


This was a well written, steadily moving, paranormal tale. . . . The characters are well defined and very realistic. The scenes are easily visualized. The Title and Book Cover are more than “fitting”.

The Ghost Chronicles
by Marlo Berliner

YA/Adult Crossover Paranormal

Paperbook & ebook, 298 Pages
November 2015 by Teddy Blue Books



Can Michael get to heaven before the devil gets him first, and if it means leaving Sarah is he sure he still wants to go?



Michael Andrews had everything – a loving family, a great girlfriend and a promising basketball career. That was before the accident that took his life. Now, he’s a ghost, wandering among the living, struggling to understand why he’s stuck. All he wants is to move on.



That is until he meets Sarah, an attractive young girl who died just as tragically as he did. The only trouble is falling in love and binding oneself to another soul is forbidden, for it may keep one or both of the souls bound to earth for longer than they should be.



To make matters worse, there’s also a danger in going too far with Sarah, because the “joining” of two souls in the afterlife is also strictly forbidden and they don’t know what will happen if they do go that far. Each time they touch they can feel the boundaries of their energies slipping perilously into one another.



Things get even more complicated as Michael learns he’s being pursued. Demons are after him because he’s a marked soul, a soul the devil wants very badly for some unknown reason.



So, maybe falling in love in the afterlife isn’t such a good idea.

marlo berliner
About Marlo Berliner

Formerly an accounting manager for a Fortune 500 company, Marlo is currently an intern with a literary agency based in New York City, as well as, an editor at Chimera Editing. Marlo writes young adult, women’s fiction, and short stories. She is currently working on her third novel.

When she's not writing or editing, Marlo loves reading, relaxing at the beach, watching movies, and rooting for the Penn State Nittany Lions. After having spent some wonderful time in Pittsburgh and Houston, she’s now back in her home state of New Jersey where she resides with her husband and two sons. This is her first novel.



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Ends January 16th