Book Review: Shaded Colored Lies

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Synopsis

From birth, Avery Foster was destined to be anything but ordinary. When a mysterious storm stirs up over her school, Avery discovers a dark past and a family secret that changes everything as she knows it. All of a sudden, people are out for her blood, immortal blood. With her family by her side, and a boy she’s known since childhood, can Avery overcome all the barriers put in her way and bring about change for a race who has lain dormant for thousands of years?

My Review

This is Shaded Colored Lies by R.E. Danielle and T.D. Dean. This book is more of a short story and it is 125 pages long.

From a young age, Avery Foster has been getting told lies and being withheld from the truth. When Avery meets a young man named Kage, she feel attracted to him almost immediately. There s a war going on and she is right in the middle. To fight in a war she must have the strength and allies to do so. Avery will learn of her fate and how to control her growing powers.

I really loved the romance in this. I like books with the concept of soulmates and finding your true love. The concept of this book itself, is very interesting. There were some really humorous moments. This book is a mix of my favorite stuff in one book. The only thing that I would recommend is not to let tweens or younger read this book without a parent reading it first. Other than that... Congrats on two great authors working together to make this AWESOME book!!

UTOPiAcon

As most of you know, many others, including myself, were nominated for the chance to win the title "Blogger of the Year Award", and if you didn't know that then you do now. UTOPiAcon chooses the nominees and we, the people, vote for them. I am very honored to have been nominated and I would like to thank everyone that had faith in me. This was my first year at UTOPiAcon and I wasn't sure as to what to expect. What I found was authors, bloggers, cover artists, and readers that were very similar to me. I felt understood and it was one of the GREATEST feeling in the world!


When I got home I started going through my collection of books that were given to me and I was really excited. I don't have and exact count, but I'm thinking I have close to 40 books. I would like to thank all of the authors for giving me plenty of signed swag and their book(s). There were so many authors at UTOPiAcon that I have heard of or reviewed a book of theirs, but never actually got the chance to meet them. For example, Susan Burdorf, Erin Hayes, Ali Winters, Hollie Westring, Ben Hale, Stacey Rourke, Casey L. Bond, Jo Michaels, and many more... A lot of the authors I met at UTOPiAcon were on my watchlist, because their book(s) were my type of genre. 

I was also at the panel known as "Teen Titans" with three other teens. They were all awesome at what they did and I enjoyed being in the same room as these teenagers. I befriended two of them, but didn't get much of a chance to talk to the third. "Teen Titans was my first panel and a very fun experience to have. We were asked questions by adults and there were a few that I had a hard time answering. One of the worst questions to ask a blogger is "Who is your favorite author?", because I happen to love almost every book I read and the authors, as well. I was in one more panel aside from this and it was with Blaze Publishing.

Blaze Publishing took place in this large room with a long table. There were authors seated at the table with their books and many other books on the table. We were talking about how people judge a book by the cover. There was a game were we had to try to figure out the genre of the book by the cover. It was very fun, but it wasn't fool-proof. I would like to say that everyone with Blaze Publishing at UTOPiAcon were awesome. Ryan Hill, Jacob Devlin, Krystal Wade, and Mara Valderran(I save the best for last wink, wink). I hope to speak to these AWESOME people sometime soon!

For the next week, I am going to tell you about what went on at UTOPiAcon. If anyone wants to add their experiences in UTOPiAcon, then just email me what you would like displayed on my blog. The offer lasts all week, so whenever you want to talk about your experiences, feel free...

I am so excited for next year... UTOPiAcon is going to be interesting next year! 

#STEPWRITEUP

Book Review: The Neverland Wars by Audrey Greathouse

 

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Synopsis

Magic can do a lot—give you flight, show you mermaids, help you taste the stars, and… solve the budget crisis? That's what the grown-ups will do with it if they ever make it to Neverland to steal its magic and bring their children home.
However, Gwen doesn't know this. She's just a sixteen-year-old girl with a place on the debate team and a powerful crush on Jay, the soon-to-be homecoming king. She doesn't know her little sister could actually run away with Peter Pan, or that she might have to chase after her to bring her home safe. Gwen will find out though—and when she does, she'll discover she's in the middle of a looming war between Neverland and reality.
She'll be out of place as a teenager in Neverland, but she won't be the only one. Peter Pan's constant treks back to the mainland have slowly aged him into adolescence as well. Soon, Gwen will have to decide whether she's going to join impish, playful Peter in his fight for eternal youth… or if she's going to scramble back to reality in time for the homecoming dance.

Samantha's Review

 

   

First let me say, I have never read the original Peter Pan. Also, I was never a fan of the cartoon or play. I just also found Peter Pan annoying and boring.

 

Now that I've said that, let me say I really liked this book. I liked the modern twist. Like Peter Pan was still around today and taking kids to Neverland.

 

It was really written well. It flowed nicely and didn't have any slow parts that held me up.

 

My only negative is that is ends in a huge cliffhanger. One of those cliffhangers that has you turning the page wondering where the next chapter is. I'm really hoping there is a book two in the works since there was no 'sneak preview' of the next book at the end of it. If you do not like cliff hangers you will find the ending very frustrating.

 

Additionally, it lost a partial star rating because at the very end of the book there is a rather lot of cussing (for such a small few pages) and there is drinking and drug use. This is simply a 'Belle's Beastly Book Blog' rating system regarding how clean a book is and may not bother all readers.

Book Review: Crush - The Crush Saga

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Synopsis

When Taylor Sparks moves from New York City to Big Bear Lake, California, her life is forever changed when she meets a hot guy with winter-blue eyes named Jesse. Their attraction is instant, the chemistry undeniable. But sadly, things aren't adding up. Taylor wonders what her 'crush' is hiding. When her new friend, Fred tells her his suspicions about Jesse being a paranormal creature, Taylor laughs. But when Fred turns up dead, she believes every warning he ever told her. 

Taylor is shocked to learn that Big Bear Lake isn't just glittering lakes, towering pines, and breathtaking mountains...there's more...way more than meets the eye. 

Will Taylor dive into a paranormal world she knows nothing about? To be with the one her heart can’t live without? 

My Review

This is the first book in a nine book series by Chrissy Peebles. The first book is 266 pages long.

Taylor Sparks has always been on edge when living in New York, but when her parents want a change of scenery, they go to live in Big Bear Lake, California. Taylor is very creative and artistic, so this new place shows nature at its greatest. Her dog, Max, is always leading Taylor into danger, but she is saved by the heroic and selfless hunk, Jesse. After Taylor's break-up with Sean, she needed a fresh start and she realizes that she is falling head-over-heels in love with Jesse. But, there are many secrets surrounding him and his family. Her friend, Fred, knows this secret, but didn't get to tell due to his impromptu death. Will Taylor see past Jesse's secrets and enter the world of supernatural or will she leave before her life has even began? How is Jesse tied to the supernatural world? What secrets lie at Big Bear Lake?

I loved this book! It was a great change from the same old vampire lore and myths. In this book, there are different bloodlines of vampires all having different abilities. I don't think that I've ever read a book that spoke of a vampire actually being birthed instead of created. Well done, Chrissy Peebles! I know this GREAT author has written many books and I even own quite a few of them. I highly recommend her books. I hope to read her second book to this series, because of what people have told me of this series. The only real problem I had was the fact that this was labeled as a werewolf novel as well as vampire, but there was only a tiny part the werewolves played. Not much was said about them. I was also kind of insulted by the fact that Chrissy Peebles wrote teen dialogue like she did. Teenagers aren't like that at all and if people think that... Lets just say they are very mistaken!

Book Review: Water Weaver - The Wraidd Elfennol Series

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Synopsis

The young maiden, Marella, was born to the island of Wraidd Elfennol, a place balanced by the four Elements of nature – Earth, Air, Fire and Water. The essence of each Element contained in sacred artefacts ensuring the balance of life. 

Every year, the community from across the island gather for the Summer Solstice. It is at this celebration the Lords and Ladies of Wraidd Elfennol make an astounding announcement. The sacred artefacts are missing. They then proclaim that four individuals, along with their animal Life Partners, will be selected to restore the balance. 
Marella and her otter, Nixie, are chosen because of their link to the Element of Water and along with her, three others – each in-tune with a different Element. 
Together they embark on a quest to either find the missing artefacts or somehow create new ones. As the world around them changes, danger lurks with every challenge the group face. They must hurry as the Elements need to be restored before a year and a day have passed. 

Failure is not an option or the world as they know it will cease to exist. 

My Review

This is Water Weaver by Morgan Sheppard. This book is 644 pages long.

Marella and her Partner, Nixie have been together for years as Marella has grown into a young woman and a trained Weaver. When Marella learns of her destiny as the Chosen of Water and learns of the challenges she will need to face in the near future, she has trouble grasping this. Not only is Marella chosen, but three other humans of different elements and their Life Partners, Nixie included. The eight of them are to restore the balance of the Elements before a year and a day passes. Some thief has stolen the sacred artefacts and the Chosen must either find them or create new ones. They must find balance together and put their strengths together to defeat this unknown threat. Catastrophe between the elements is causing a path of chaos and destruction among the different elemental villages. The Lords and Ladies of the Elements are blessing the Chosen, as well as the Scions of Elements. Love will spark in the least likely places and the Chosen will learn to get along together. 

I found this to be a very good book with an interesting concept! Not only did the author mix different mythological creatures, but she incorporated the elements and created a well-written book. When I first saw this book, all I could think was "There is 644 pages! How will I get this book done in the time I set it for?", but, surprisingly, it went by fairly quickly. The whole time there was never a dull moment and you really felt connected to these characters. This book gives a new meaning to opposites attract.(wink,wink.) The whole time I was reading this book I was rooting for Kia and Marella, but Daren and Marella had history so I thought it impossible. I really wasn't expecting the ending AND there was a good ending! I kind of wish the author could have put this book into two books, so it would be easier to digest, but other than that it was great. This is a book for most ages, if kids have the patience to read a long book.

Book Review: Everblue (Mer Tales #1) by Brenda Pandos

 

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Synopsis

She wanted her life to change... he wanted his to stay the same.

Best friends share everything with each other. Or do they? Seventeen-year-old Ashlyn Frances Lanski is tired of her boring, single life. Spending time with her best friend Tatiana, dreaming about kissing Tatiana's twin brother Fin, and swimming competitively are her only sanctuary. The girls plan to leave their drab lakeside town far behind for college. But when Tatchi fails to return home after a family emergency, and no one knows where the family has gone, Ash chooses to do something drastic to find them.

Ashlyn is about to discover what she'd thought to be true her whole life, wasn't, and the truth, too fantastical to imagine. Secrets lurk beneath the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe, secrets that will change Ashlyn's life forever.

Samantha's Review

 

   

I went into this story a little leary because a lot of mermaid tales tend to have sex and nudity in them. But I was very surprised to find that it didn't! These teen mers are modest, even their 'curse' words tend to be comical (eg: "holy starfish") which some may find silly but I enjoyed.

 

Within the first few chapters I was pulled into this story. I found myself a member of their world, which was due to the good writing and description of the author.

I would highly recommend this book for tweens, teens and adults who enjoy a mermaid tale. Be warned, though, this is a series and the story is a bit unfinished (cliffhanger). I don't mind it, because I like them, but some readers might not.

Book Review: Marella - The Wraidd Elfennol Series

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Synopsis

Marella has grown up on the island of Wraidd Elfennol, where humans, animals and the very Elements live in harmony together. 

Since she was a youngling, the draw towards Water has always been the strongest. It is one of the reasons Marella wants nothing more than for that Element to be her Primary, so she can become a Water Weaver, gifted in hydromancy. Each youngling goes to the main village of Charon for the Test to find out which of the Elements they are strongest in, which in turn, will determine their futures. 
Marella’s best friend since childhood, Daren, is also going for his Test. They have been best friends since childhood, getting into many adventures together, as their families spend rest days together. 

Yet when the day comes where their fates will be decided, doubts and insecurities creep into Marella’s mind. What happens when you don’t get what you wish for? And what happens if you do? At this time of their lives, when their paths are about to take Marella and Daren to different places, will they get what they wish for?

My Review

This is the first book in a two book series by Morgan Sheppard. This is a 105 page book.

Marella has always wanted to be a Water Weaver and she didn't think it possible till the day of the Test. She is different from everyone and after she gets her Partner Nixie her parents realize this too. Daren, her best friend, and herself are going to training with all the elements to balance out. Not only does Marella meet new people, but she learns to cope with her new life. There are things she doesn't know, but she will learn of her Calling soon enough.

This was a great book! I definitely recommend people to read this book before reading "Water Weaver", because you will get confused. This book went by fast and was full of detail. I actually felt like I was walking to the Water Lodge and like I was actually at the Testing. This is a book for all ages. Great job, Morgan Sheppard!!