I have no idea how I missed these Make a Date with Harlequin videos when they were first released last year but they are hilarious so I just had to share them now. Harlequin sent two real Harlequin Heroes on real-life dates (a Viking and a Cowboy) and used hidden cameras to film the happy couple. It's the reaction of people around them that kills me!
Aren't they brilliant? Which one do you prefer? I have to admit the viking caught my eye LOL.
These videos were obviously made to publicise Harlequin and they come with a link to their website http://www.tryharlequin.com where you can download up to 16 free ebooks to try in lots of their romance categories including Suspense, Passion, Home & Family, Inspirational, Western, Historical, Sweet Romance, Medical Romance and Paranormal. There's bound to be something for everyone in that lot so make sure you check them out!
Wednesday 28 February 2018
Tuesday 27 February 2018
Release Day Blast: Hawkyn - Larissa Ione
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Larissa Ione, comes HAWKYN, a passionate and spellbinding novella from the Demonica Underworld Series, brought to you by 1,001 Dark Nights! Be sure you grab your copy today!
About HAWKYN:
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Larissa Ione comes a new story in her Demonica Underworld series…
As a special class of earthbound guardian angel called Memitim, Hawkyn is charged with protecting those whose lives are woven into the fabric of the future. His success is legendary, so when he's given a serial killer to watch over, he sees no reason for that to change. But Hawkyn's own future is jeopardized after he breaks the rules and rescues a beautiful woman from the killer's clutches, setting off an explosive, demonic game of cat and mouse that pits brother against brother and that won't end until someone dies.
Aurora Mercer is the half-wytch lone survivor of a psychopath who gets off on the sadistic torture of his victims. A psychopath whose obsessive psyche won't let him move on until he kills her. Now she's marked for death, her fate tied to that of a murderer…and to a sexy angel who makes her blood burn with desire…
**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it's an introduction to an author's world. And for fans, it's a bonus book in the author's series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**
EXCERPT:
The best thing about grocery shopping at midnight was that the stores were relatively quiet. As someone sensitive to life-force energy, Aurora Mercer liked that.
But sometimes the lack of activity wasn't a good thing.
Like now, as she walked her groceries out to her car. Fog common to Portland, Oregon in the fall had rolled in, obscuring everything farther than about forty feet out. She'd parked her dark blue Mercedes close to the building and under a light, but as she opened the rear door she was unnerved to see a black van pull next to her, blocking her faint view of the store-and blocking employee views of her.
The van's windows were blacked out.
She laughed nervously. It was probably nothing. Serial killers didn't drive anything so obvious, right?
Right?
Still, she picked up her pace, not caring that she was all but throwing her groceries in the back seat and food was spilling everywhere. She could salvage the cherries on the floor when she got home, and raspberry juice stains on cream leather wouldn't look that bad.
Not as bad as blood.
She finished and slammed the door closed. But shit...the cart corral was several stalls away. Her heart started racing at the thought of getting that far from her car and the light. Screw it, she could leave the cart here. She hated when people did that, but avoiding death was as good an excuse as any to be lazy.
Hastily she pushed the cart in front of her car, secured it over a concrete tire block-
"Fog's bad, isn't it?"
She spun around with a startled yelp. An attractive man, maybe six-four with a
Celtic cross tattoo on his neck, stood between her and her driver side door. How had he gotten there so fast?
Stay calm.
Easier said than done, but she'd give it a shot. "Excuse me," she said firmly. "I'm in a hurry."
He didn't budge. "I'm sure you are."
As casually as she could, she reached into her purse for her keys and the attached canister of pepper spray, but as she fished around she realized she'd left them on her back seat. Her heart skipped a beat and then pounded so fast and hard she could feel it in her ears.
Deep breaths. You don't have your pepper spray, but you aren't weaponless.
The man smiled as if he knew she'd come up empty of pepper spray and was happy about it. "Problem? Something I can help you with?"
"No. Thank you." She dredged up a smile of her own and prayed it looked genuine and not like she was scared out of her mind. "If you'll step aside, I'll just go-"
She broke off as, out of the corner of her eye, she detected movement. Another man-shaped shadow stepped out of the fog behind the van, and her throat constricted with terror.
About Larissa Ione:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | 1001 Dark Nights
Monday 26 February 2018
Book Trailer: Children of Blood and Bone - Tomi Adeyemi
I don't normally post about a book twice before it's even been published but I'm so ridiculously excited about Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi that I have to share the official book trailer that I found yesterday! I already shared some videos of the author introducing the book (you can read that post here) but the trailer is too cool not to be shared!
Just in case you somehow managed to miss the huge amount of hype around this series let me remind you of the gorgeous cover and let you read the blurb for yourselves to see how fab this book is going to be!
Tomi Adeyemi conjures a stunning world of dark magic and danger in her West African-inspired fantasy debut Children of Blood and Bone.
They killed my mother.
They took our magic.
They tried to bury us.
Now we rise.
Zélie remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. When different clans ruled – Burners igniting flames, Tiders beckoning waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoning forth souls.
But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, anyone with powers was targeted and killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope. Only a few people remain with the power to use magic, and they must remain hidden.
Zélie is one such person. Now she has a chance to bring back magic to her people and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must learn to harness her powers and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.
Danger lurks in Orïsha, where strange creatures prowl, and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to come to terms with the strength of her magic – and her growing feelings for an enemy.
The movie of Children of Blood and Bone is in development at Fox 2000/Temple Hill Productions with the incredible Karen Rosenfelt and Wyck Godfrey (Twilight, Maze Runner, The Fault In Our Stars) producing it.
Isn't it beautiful! Less than two weeks to go until it's released on the 8th of March (and yes I do have my copy on preorder LOL) and I can't wait to start reading!
Just in case you somehow managed to miss the huge amount of hype around this series let me remind you of the gorgeous cover and let you read the blurb for yourselves to see how fab this book is going to be!
They killed my mother.
They took our magic.
They tried to bury us.
Now we rise.
Zélie remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. When different clans ruled – Burners igniting flames, Tiders beckoning waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoning forth souls.
But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, anyone with powers was targeted and killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope. Only a few people remain with the power to use magic, and they must remain hidden.
Zélie is one such person. Now she has a chance to bring back magic to her people and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must learn to harness her powers and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.
Danger lurks in Orïsha, where strange creatures prowl, and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to come to terms with the strength of her magic – and her growing feelings for an enemy.
The movie of Children of Blood and Bone is in development at Fox 2000/Temple Hill Productions with the incredible Karen Rosenfelt and Wyck Godfrey (Twilight, Maze Runner, The Fault In Our Stars) producing it.
Isn't it beautiful! Less than two weeks to go until it's released on the 8th of March (and yes I do have my copy on preorder LOL) and I can't wait to start reading!
Sunday 25 February 2018
Cover Reveal: Circle of Ashes - Elise Kova & Lynn Larsh
Today I'm taking part in the cover reveal for Circle of Ashes, the second book in the new-adult urban fantasy Wish Quartet series by Elise Kova and Lynn Larsh. I've not had time to read the first book, Society of Wishes, yet but the authors will be hosting a read along starting in March (more details below) so I'll definitely be joining in with that. Anyway, first let me share the gorgeous cover of Circle of Ashes with you!
Blurb:
EVERY WISH HAS A COST BUT WILL THE SOCIETY BE WILLING TO PAY IT?
Once a hacker-for-hire living in the shadows, Josephina “Jo” Espinosa is the newest member of a magical Society. Their mandate? To grant the wishes of mortals. A simple enough task until Jo is faced with an impossible wish – and her inability to grant it might spell disaster for her entire team, if not the Society itself.
Jo is used to high-pressure situations, but after a string of disasters, the last thing she needs is stakes of this magnitude. Especially given that neither she nor the Society know quite what the consequences of failing to grant a wish might be.
The only person with answers is the Society’s aloof and cryptic leader, Snow. Yet while Jo is enigmatically drawn to the man, all their clandestine encounters leave her with only more questions about the true nature of the Society, her magic, and her own history.
Time is running out for the Society, and an executioner will rise from among them to exact the price of failure.
Publication Date: April 9, 2018
Pre-Order on Amazon: http://getbook.at/circleofashes
(NOTE: The book is FREE to Kindle Unlimited subscribers. Readers who don’t have a Kindle can send proof of purchase from Amazon to Elise.Kova.Author@gmail.com to get a “read anywhere” link when the book is out.)
In case, like me, you've not read the first book yet, you might be interested in joining the read along that Elise Kova and Lynn Larsh are hosting on Facebook here. The read along runs from the 2nd of March until the 6th of April and there will be chances to have all your questions answered, discuss chapters, get exclusive character bios, writing insights, and take part in weekly giveaways for the duration of the event.
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.
Josephina Espinosa makes her living as a hacker-for-hire in the Lone Star Republic, a remnant of the fractured U.S.A. That is, until the day she and her best friend are gunned down in a government raid.
With her dying breath, Jo uses magical lore passed down from her grandmother to summon a wish-granter. Her wish? To save her friend’s life. Except wishes have costs, and for Jo, the price is the erasure of her entire mortal existence.
Now, as the most recent addition to the mysterious Society of Wishes, Jo must form a new “life” alongside the seven other members, one of which being her savior himself. Living as an occupant of the Society’s lavish mansion should be quite the perk, but while it is furnished with everything its inhabitants could possibly need, it lacks one thing—freedom.
Her otherworldly identity crisis takes a backseat, however, when Jo learns that the friend she sacrificed everything for is headed down the same path to ruin. Jumping in head-first, Jo uses her newfound magical abilities to protect him, only to realize that the ripples of her actions have far-reaching consequences. When the Society’s aloof leader Snow decides to give her a taste of his own ancient magic, Jo discovers that there are threads woven into the tapestry of her new reality that reach far beyond the wishes she is now required to grant. Ones that, if tugged on, could mean the unraveling of the world itself.
Purchase on Amazon: http://getbook.at/sow
(NOTE: The book is FREE to Kindle Unlimited subscribers. Readers who don’t have a Kindle can send proof of purchase from Amazon to Elise.Kova.Author@gmail.com to get a “read anywhere” link when the book is out.)
Elise Kova:
Elise Kova is the USA Today bestselling author of the Air Awakens series, Loom Saga, and Wish Quartet.
In her past lives, she has graduated from an MBA program, lived in Japan for a bit, and worked for a Fortune 500 technology company. However, she finds herself much happier in her current reincarnation as full-time author. When not writing, she can usually be found playing video games, drawing, watching anime, or talking with readers on social media. She’s happy to call Saint Petersburg, Florida, her home, but is always looking forward to her next trip.
Elise’s Website: http://elisekova.com
Lynn Larsh:
Lynn Larsh considers herself to be a serial hobby-dabbler. She got a bachelors degree in music (which she used for all of four months), studied aerial acrobatics and classical piano for many years, worked briefly as a stunt woman in a Wild West stunt show (it’s a long story), and eventually settled down into the bar tending business in St. Petersberg, FL. When she’s not acting as a purveyor of fine libations, you can find her diving head first into her newest venture as a New Adult author, or simply writing Voltron fan fiction on Archive of Our Own.
Lynn’s Website: https://www.lynnlarsh.com/
Circle of Ashes:
Blurb:
EVERY WISH HAS A COST BUT WILL THE SOCIETY BE WILLING TO PAY IT?
Once a hacker-for-hire living in the shadows, Josephina “Jo” Espinosa is the newest member of a magical Society. Their mandate? To grant the wishes of mortals. A simple enough task until Jo is faced with an impossible wish – and her inability to grant it might spell disaster for her entire team, if not the Society itself.
Jo is used to high-pressure situations, but after a string of disasters, the last thing she needs is stakes of this magnitude. Especially given that neither she nor the Society know quite what the consequences of failing to grant a wish might be.
The only person with answers is the Society’s aloof and cryptic leader, Snow. Yet while Jo is enigmatically drawn to the man, all their clandestine encounters leave her with only more questions about the true nature of the Society, her magic, and her own history.
Time is running out for the Society, and an executioner will rise from among them to exact the price of failure.
Publication Date: April 9, 2018
Pre-Order on Amazon: http://getbook.at/circleofashes
(NOTE: The book is FREE to Kindle Unlimited subscribers. Readers who don’t have a Kindle can send proof of purchase from Amazon to Elise.Kova.Author@gmail.com to get a “read anywhere” link when the book is out.)
Society of Wishes:
In case, like me, you've not read the first book yet, you might be interested in joining the read along that Elise Kova and Lynn Larsh are hosting on Facebook here. The read along runs from the 2nd of March until the 6th of April and there will be chances to have all your questions answered, discuss chapters, get exclusive character bios, writing insights, and take part in weekly giveaways for the duration of the event.
Josephina Espinosa makes her living as a hacker-for-hire in the Lone Star Republic, a remnant of the fractured U.S.A. That is, until the day she and her best friend are gunned down in a government raid.
With her dying breath, Jo uses magical lore passed down from her grandmother to summon a wish-granter. Her wish? To save her friend’s life. Except wishes have costs, and for Jo, the price is the erasure of her entire mortal existence.
Now, as the most recent addition to the mysterious Society of Wishes, Jo must form a new “life” alongside the seven other members, one of which being her savior himself. Living as an occupant of the Society’s lavish mansion should be quite the perk, but while it is furnished with everything its inhabitants could possibly need, it lacks one thing—freedom.
Her otherworldly identity crisis takes a backseat, however, when Jo learns that the friend she sacrificed everything for is headed down the same path to ruin. Jumping in head-first, Jo uses her newfound magical abilities to protect him, only to realize that the ripples of her actions have far-reaching consequences. When the Society’s aloof leader Snow decides to give her a taste of his own ancient magic, Jo discovers that there are threads woven into the tapestry of her new reality that reach far beyond the wishes she is now required to grant. Ones that, if tugged on, could mean the unraveling of the world itself.
Purchase on Amazon: http://getbook.at/sow
(NOTE: The book is FREE to Kindle Unlimited subscribers. Readers who don’t have a Kindle can send proof of purchase from Amazon to Elise.Kova.Author@gmail.com to get a “read anywhere” link when the book is out.)
About the Authors:
Elise Kova is the USA Today bestselling author of the Air Awakens series, Loom Saga, and Wish Quartet.
In her past lives, she has graduated from an MBA program, lived in Japan for a bit, and worked for a Fortune 500 technology company. However, she finds herself much happier in her current reincarnation as full-time author. When not writing, she can usually be found playing video games, drawing, watching anime, or talking with readers on social media. She’s happy to call Saint Petersburg, Florida, her home, but is always looking forward to her next trip.
Elise’s Website: http://elisekova.com
Lynn Larsh considers herself to be a serial hobby-dabbler. She got a bachelors degree in music (which she used for all of four months), studied aerial acrobatics and classical piano for many years, worked briefly as a stunt woman in a Wild West stunt show (it’s a long story), and eventually settled down into the bar tending business in St. Petersberg, FL. When she’s not acting as a purveyor of fine libations, you can find her diving head first into her newest venture as a New Adult author, or simply writing Voltron fan fiction on Archive of Our Own.
Lynn’s Website: https://www.lynnlarsh.com/
Friday 23 February 2018
Preorder Blast: Make Me Want - Katee Robert
Have you Pre-ordered MAKE ME WANT Yet?
In MAKE ME WANT, Lucy a bold and confident lawyer seeks the help of her good friend Gideon to reawaken her passion in the bedroom. Fans of Her Naughty Holiday by Tiffany Reisz or Expecting a Royal Scandal by Caitlin Crews will want to one-click this sizzling matchmaker romance.
Pre-order MAKE ME WANT and add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads! Then keep reading to get a sneak peek excerpt and enter the giveaway for one of five (5) eBook copies of MAKE ME WANT!
Title: Make Me Want
Author: Katee Robert
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 1, 2018
Publisher: Harlequin Dare
Series: Make Me
Page Count: 159 pages
Format: Digital
ASIN: B071LSKSSG
Synopsis:
"I want everything."
She's taking control. And it's driving him wild!
Lucy Baudin's ex did a number on her self-esteem, but it's time for her to regain control. In her job as a lawyer she's bold, confident. But in the bedroom she needs inspiration to reawaken her inner seductress. Asking her friend Gideon Novak for help seems wrong…yet so deliciously right!
Available at:
Amazon: http://bit.ly/MakeMeWantAmazon
iBooks: http://bit.ly/MakeMeWantiBooks
Sexy. Passionate. Bold. Discover Harlequin DARE, a new line of fun, edgy and sexually explicit romances for the fearless female.
Praise for MAKE ME WANT:
"Dare is Harlequin's hottest line yet. Every book should come with a free fan. I dare you to try them!"-Tiffany Reisz, international bestselling author
Enter to win one of five (5) ebook copies of MAKE ME WANT!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Make Me Want Excerpt
Copyright © 2018 Katee Robert
"What the fuck, Lucy?"
"Hmm?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about." He pulled her dress up, though he didn't need the confirmation. "You come in here with that cock tease of a dress and you aren't wearing panties." Jealousy and desire twisted viciously through him. "Were you going to give Aaron a little show?"
"Oh, please. Give me a little credit." She lifted her chin. "I'm proving a point. You, Gideon Novak, don't get to make my decisions for me. I appreciate your help, but that's where it ends."
She didn't want him.
He was good enough to fuck but not good enough to listen to.
He kept a white-knuckled grip on his temper because having a knock-down, drag-out fight here and now wasn't an option for either of them. Not to mention the fact that he didn't have a right to be pissed. She'd laid out the terms that first day and if he chose to ignore them, that was on him-not on Lucy.
It didn't make how shitty this situation was any easier to swallow.
Gideon stepped back. "The table. Bend over it."
Her eyebrows inched up. "You can't be serious."
"As a fucking heart attack. I told you what would happen if you showed up like that, and you were all too eager to pick up that gauntlet. Choices have consequences, Lucy. This is one of them."
She backed toward the table. One step. Two. "The consequences being that you'll spank my ass red and then fuck me right here."
She wants it.
It didn't soothe his temper. If anything, it ratcheted it up a notch. She might want it but she didn't want him. "The table."
Lucy turned and, prim as a princess, bent over the table. She seemed to consider and then lowered her chest further until the top half of her body was flush against the polished wood. The position left her ass in the air and had her skirt riding up so he could see how turned on she was by this.
"Which part is getting you?" He stood between her and the door and pushed her dress the last few inches to bare her completely. "The spanking, the defiance, or the fact that we're in an unlocked room where anyone could walk in-including your fucking date?"
She tilted her ass up, just a little, an offer that made his mouth water. But it was her words that sealed her fate. "All of the above."
New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Katee Robert learned to tell her stories at her grandpa's knee. Her 2015 title, The Marriage Contract, was a RITA finalist, and RT Book Reviews named it 'a compulsively readable book with just the right amount of suspense and tension." When not writing sexy contemporary and romantic suspense, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her children, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.
Connect with Katee at: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Instagram
Tuesday 20 February 2018
Product Review: Metal Earth: Harry Potter Gringotts Dragon (3D Puzzle)
GRINGOTT'S DRAGON
GRINGOTT'S DRAGON: Also known as the Ukrainian Ironbelly species. Gringott's Dragon is used to guard several high-security vaults, including the Lestrange Vault, at Gringotts Wizarding Bank.
Item#:MMS443
Number Of Sheets: 2 Sheets
Difficulty: Moderate
Assembled Size: 7.48" x 5.39" x 2.36"
Visit the Metal Earth website for more information
Harry Potter Series:
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: Illustrated Edition (Illustrated by Jim Kay)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: 20th Anniversary House Editions
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Illustrated Edition (Illustrated by Jim Kay)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Illustrated Edition (Illustrated by Jim Kay)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Illustrated Edition (Illustrated by Jim Kay)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Play Script written with John Tiffany & Jack Thorne)
Pottermore Presents:
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies (Short Story Collection)
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists (Short Story Collection)
Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide (Short Story Collection)
Incredibuilds:
IncrediBuilds: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Erumpent (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Niffler (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Swooping Evil (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Thunderbird (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Harry Potter: Aragog (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Buckbeak (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Harry Potter: Hedwig (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Express (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: House-Elves (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Quidditch (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Harry Potter: Sorting Hat (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Harry Potter: Stag Patronus (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Thestral (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Other Harry Potter Books & Products:
Funko Pop 2019 Harry Potter Advent Calendar
Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Guide to Hogwarts - Matthew Reinhart
Harry Potter - Creatures: A Paper Scene Book
Harry Potter Hedwig Owl Kit and Sticker Book (Model & Sticker Book)
Harry Potter: Magical Film Projections: Patronus Charm (Activity Book)
Harry Potter Talking Sorting Hat and Sticker Book: Which House Are You? (Model & Sticker Book)
Harry Potter: The Character Vault - Jody Revenson
Harry Potter: The Marauder's Map Guide to Hogwarts - Erinn Pascal (Activity Book)
Harry Potter: Winter at Hogwarts: A Magical Colouring Set (Colouring Book, Gift Tags & a build your own 3D Firebolt in a Keepsake Box)
J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World: Magical Film Projections: Creatures (Activity Book)
Metal Earth: Harry Potter Gringotts Dragon (3D Puzzle)
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter: The Official Guide
Visit J.K. Rowling's website or the Pottermore website for more information
Review:
I've never made a model like this before but I'm a huge HP fan and I collect dragons so I couldn't resist this kit! The kit contains 2 sheets of metal with all the pieces you'll need to make the model, and a full instruction sheet. It recommends using proper tools like needle nose pliers and clippers to help remove the pieces from the metal sheets they come in but to be honest I didn't want to pay out the extra money when I wasn't sure the tools would be used again in the future.
It could possibly have made my life easier if I'd had the correct tools but I managed to build this kit using a couple of pairs of tweezers and a sharp crafting blade to cut the metal (please be very, VERY careful if you do the same thing as it would be incredibly easy to slice your finger open!). To be honest you need to be a little careful anyway because the tiny pieces of metal do have quite sharp edges and my fingers ended up with loads of tiny little cuts from building this dragon. I also used a variety of sized pens, pencils and even a metal kebab stick to bend the metal around to get the curved edges I needed.
Like I said I've never made anything like this before so I had no idea where to start but the instructions were clear and easy to follow. It was quite fiddly at first but once I'd got used to how to bend the metal it got much easier and, apart from the legs (I never did manage to get all the tabs in place for the knee joints!), I found it fairly easy to work out how to slot everything together.
It was great to see the dragon slowly come to life as I built it and I'm really pleased with the finished results too, the dragon looks great on my Harry Potter shelf!
Source: Purchased
Other reviews of this book:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.
Sunday 18 February 2018
Most Anticipated Reads: Children of Blood and Bone - Tomi Adeyemi
One of the 2018 debut novels I'm most excited about has got to be Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi. This book has been all over Twitter and Goodreads recently so I'm sure you already have it on your wish lists but I thought I'd share a few of the videos I found with you anyway.
First we have this introduction from the author:
Now that I've caught your attention heres the blurb (& that stunning cover in all it's glory!):
Tomi Adeyemi conjures a stunning world of dark magic and danger in her West African-inspired fantasy debut Children of Blood and Bone.
They killed my mother.
They took our magic.
They tried to bury us.
Now we rise.
Zélie remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. When different clans ruled – Burners igniting flames, Tiders beckoning waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoning forth souls.
But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, anyone with powers was targeted and killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope. Only a few people remain with the power to use magic, and they must remain hidden.
Zélie is one such person. Now she has a chance to bring back magic to her people and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must learn to harness her powers and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.
Danger lurks in Orïsha, where strange creatures prowl, and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to come to terms with the strength of her magic – and her growing feelings for an enemy.
The movie of Children of Blood and Bone is in development at Fox 2000/Temple Hill Productions with the incredible Karen Rosenfelt and Wyck Godfrey (Twilight, Maze Runner, The Fault In Our Stars) producing it.
Doesn't it sound incredible?! There is definitely a reason why this is getting so much hype!
I also found this brilliant video of Tomi talking about the importance of diversity
and I'm sure most of you already saw this last video doing the rounds on Twitter but Tomi's reaction to receiving her first copies of Children of Blood and Bone was priceless and brought tears to my eyes so I had to include it here!
Who else is excited about this book? Check out the Children of Blood and Bone website or Tomi Adeyemi's website.
First we have this introduction from the author:
Now that I've caught your attention heres the blurb (& that stunning cover in all it's glory!):
They killed my mother.
They took our magic.
They tried to bury us.
Now we rise.
Zélie remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. When different clans ruled – Burners igniting flames, Tiders beckoning waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoning forth souls.
But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, anyone with powers was targeted and killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope. Only a few people remain with the power to use magic, and they must remain hidden.
Zélie is one such person. Now she has a chance to bring back magic to her people and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must learn to harness her powers and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.
Danger lurks in Orïsha, where strange creatures prowl, and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to come to terms with the strength of her magic – and her growing feelings for an enemy.
The movie of Children of Blood and Bone is in development at Fox 2000/Temple Hill Productions with the incredible Karen Rosenfelt and Wyck Godfrey (Twilight, Maze Runner, The Fault In Our Stars) producing it.
Doesn't it sound incredible?! There is definitely a reason why this is getting so much hype!
I also found this brilliant video of Tomi talking about the importance of diversity
and I'm sure most of you already saw this last video doing the rounds on Twitter but Tomi's reaction to receiving her first copies of Children of Blood and Bone was priceless and brought tears to my eyes so I had to include it here!
Who else is excited about this book? Check out the Children of Blood and Bone website or Tomi Adeyemi's website.
Friday 16 February 2018
Review: On His Knees - Laura Kaye
Another failed relationship has lawyer Jamie Fielding confronting the truth—he’ll never be satisfied with any woman until he admits what he needs…to submit and to be used—hard. When a friend invites him to the exclusive Blasphemy club, Jamie is stunned to find everything he ever wanted—in the fierce, ruthless hands of a man.
Psychiatrist Alex McGarry will play with anyone who craves his rough brand of domination, but what he really wants is to settle down. Which makes the submissive male he meets at his club a bad idea—the man might be hot as hell but he’s also new to everything Alex has to offer. Except that doesn’t keep them from coming together again and again, sating every one of their darkest desires.
Master Alex sets Jamie’s whole world on fire and makes him question everything—and that’s good. Because Alex won’t tolerate hiding what they have for long and he wants much more than just having Jamie on his knees...
Hard Ink Series:
Hard as It Gets
Hard as You Can
Hard to Hold on to (Novella)
Hard to Come By
Hard to Be Good (Novella)
Hard to Let Go
Hard as Steel (Novella) (This is a Raven Riders MC crossover novella)
Hard Ever After (Novella)
Hard to Serve (Novella) (This is a Blasphemy crossover novella)
Raven Riders MC Series:
(This is a spin off from the Hard Ink Series)
Hard as Steel (Novella) (This is a Hard Ink crossover novella)
Ride Hard
Ride Rough
Ride Wild
Ride Dirty (Novella)
Blasphemy Series:
(This is a spin off from the Hard Ink Series)
Hard to Serve (Novella) (This is a Hard Ink crossover novella)
Bound to Submit
Mastering Her Senses
Eyes on You (Novella)
Theirs to Take (Crossover with Reveal Me by Jennifer Probst)
On His Knees
Switching for Her (April 2018)
Visit Laura Kaye's website for more information
Review:
I've been a fan of Laura Kaye's writing for years now and I'm pretty sure I've read & loved everything she's ever published but I have to say her Blasphemy series is probably my favourite. She manages to create such intense emotional connections between her characters and they always have such fantastic chemistry. Throw in the BDSM elements and these stories just get hotter and hotter so even when the kinks the characters take part in aren't necessarily ones I'd be into myself I never fail to enjoy their stories anyway.
Jamie and Alex are both fantastic characters and apart from a misunderstanding towards the end that I felt was dragged out a bit more than needed I really enjoyed their story. Jamie desperately wants to find love and settle down but no matter how great the women he meets are he's never found himself completely satisfied in a relationship, especially in the bedroom. He never considered himself either bisexual or a masochist until a friend makes a chance comment but as soon as he starts to think things through he starts to understand exactly what has been missing all these years. His character goes on quite a journey of sexual awakening but it came across as totally natural and I loved the way he was so willing to explore his fantasies and how he was brave enough to go for what he wanted.
Alex is one of the twelve owners and Masters of Blaspheme, he's a Dominant and a sadist who loves to play but is also looking for a long term relationship. He's always made it a rule never to play with inexperienced submissives, especially ones as completely new to the BDSM scene as Jamie, but when he is giving Jamie his introduction to the club their kinks are so closely aligned that it's pretty much impossible to resist. Alex loves being the one to introduce Jamie to the heights of the lifestyle but that isn't all their relationship is about and I appreciated getting to see them spending time together away from the club just talking and getting to know each other better. They fitted together in so many ways which made it incredibly easy to root for them as a couple.
On His Knees is another scorching hot instalment to the series and it's one I'd highly recommend. You don't have to be familiar with the previous books as they all work as standalone stories but they're all so good that you really don't want to miss out. If you happen to be a fan of the author's Hard Ink series then you might appreciate a bonus appearance from a certain tattoo artist and his husband too!
Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.
Paperback / Kindle:
Blog Tour: On His Knees - Laura Kaye (Excerpt & Giveaway)
Decadent… Sensual… Forbidden…
Meet the Masters of Blasphemy…
ABOUT ON HIS KNEES (Blasphemy #5):
Getting on his knees makes him question everything…and want even more…
Another failed relationship has lawyer Jamie Fielding confronting the truth—he’ll never be satisfied with any woman until he admits what he needs…to submit and to be used—hard. When a friend invites him to the exclusive Blasphemy club, Jamie is stunned to find everything he ever wanted—in the fierce, ruthless hands of a man.
Psychiatrist Alex McGarry will play with anyone who craves his rough brand of domination, but what he really wants is to settle down. Which makes the submissive male he meets at his club a bad idea—the man might be hot as hell but he’s also new to everything Alex has to offer. Except that doesn’t keep them from coming together again and again, sating every one of their darkest desires.
Master Alex sets Jamie’s whole world on fire and makes him question everything—and that’s good. Because Alex won’t tolerate hiding what they have for long and he wants much more than just having Jamie on his knees...
ORDER ON HIS KNEES:
Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Add to Goodreads
Excerpt:
Jamie was done holding back. He was done questioning. He was done feeling like he was on the outside looking in.
Now that Master Alex had demonstrated exactly what Jamie required to fully connect with another human being, he needed this to go all the way. More than that, he wanted Alex to be the one to take him there.
So he held his breath, held the Dom's gaze, and held on to the hope that the man would agree.
"You want your first time to be non-consensual role-playing," Master Alex finally said, his voice like it'd been scoured with sandpaper.
The tone of it gave Jamie hope. Because he was affected. Jamie wasn't the only one who needed this, he would've put money on it.
Nodding, Jamie summoned the courage to say what he wanted, while the Dom was still open to hearing it. Even though, Jesus, the words on the tip of his tongue were seriously twisted. He let them fly anyway. "I want you to force me, use me, hurt me. To show me what it really means to be taken by a…a-"
"Say it."
"By a sadist."
Master Alex's dark eyes flared, and his expression went a little mean. Jamie's cock hardened, a reaction he couldn't hide when he knelt there naked. The Dom's gaze swept downward and settled on his growing erection, and Jamie felt the directness of that perusal as a physical caress.
Slowly, Alex rose to his full height, and then his expression went absolutely unforgiving. "Beg."
Don’t miss the previous standalone books in the Blaspheme Series!
Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Laura Kaye's ON HIS KNEES - Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:
February 14th
Always a happy ever after - Review
Behind Closed Doors Book Review - Review
Books According to Abby - Review & Excerpt
Edgy Reviews - Review
NallaReads - Review & Excerpt
OMGReads - Review & Excerpt
Ripe For Reader - Review & Excerpt
Shh Mom's Reading® - Review & Excerpt
Thoughts of a Blonde - Review
February 15th
Booked All Night - Review & Excerpt
East Coast Book Chicks - Review & Excerpt
Jen's Reading Obsession - Review
Kari's Book Reviews and Revelations - Review & Excerpt
Lynn's Romance Enthusiasm - Review & Excerpt
Only One More Page - Review & Excerpt
Reads All the Books - Review & Excerpt
Wicked Reads - Review & Excerpt
February 16th
Bookaliciousbabes blog - Review & Excerpt
Feeling Fictional - Review & Excerpt
GraveTells - Review & Excerpt
JordansBookReviews - Excerpt
Kitty's Book Spot! - Review & Excerpt
Oh My Growing TBR - Review & Excerpt
Romancing the Readers - Review
Sip Read Love - Review
Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews - Excerpt
February 17th
BFD Book Blog - Review
Dog-Eared Daydreams - Review
KDRBCK - Review & Excerpt
Nadine's Obsessed with Books - Review & Excerpt
Smokin' Hot Reads Book Blog - Review & Excerpt
The Book Boyfriend Addict - Review & Excerpt
Vagabonda Reads - Review & Excerpt
February 18th
All Things Dark & Dirty - Review & Excerpt
Bobo's Book Bank - Review
I Love Books - Excerpt
Red Hot + Blue Reads - Review & Excerpt
Renee Entress's Blog - Review & Excerpt
Sofia Loves Books - Review
We Do What We Want Book Reviews & More - Review & Excerpt
February 19th
Book Boyfriend Reviews - Excerpt
Cara's Book Boudoir - Review
Literary Gossip - Excerpt
Novel Addiction - Review
Obsessive Reading Disorder - Review & Excerpt
Reading Between the Wines Book Club - Excerpt
Sweet Red Reads - Review & Excerpt
The Book Hammock - Review & Excerpt
February 20th
Joandisalovebooks - Review
Msquared Book Blog - Review & Excerpt
Nose Stuck in a Book - Review & Excerpt
Reese's Reviews - Review & Excerpt
Romance Readers Retreat - Review
Romance Reviews and More - Review & Excerpt
The Book Maven - Review & Excerpt
Wicked Babes Blog Reviews - Review & Excerpt
February 21st
Amo's Book Corner - Review
Evermore Books - Review & Excerpt
For The Love of Fictional Worlds - Review & Excerpt
Lost in Love Book Blog - Review & Excerpt
Nerdy Dirty & Flirty - Review & Excerpt
Spoons, Hooks, and Books - Review & Excerpt
The Book Reading Gals - Review & Excerpt
Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess - Review & Excerpt
February 22nd
Four Chicks Flipping Pages - Review
Girls With Books - Excerpt
I'm A Sweet And Sassy Book Whore - Review & Excerpt
Love Notes Book Blog - Excerpt
Sultry Sirens Book Blog - Review
The Reading Cafe - Review & Excerpt
Treat Yourself with Books - Review & Excerpt
Wickedcoolflight - Review & Excerpt
February 23rd
A small girl, her man and her books - Review & Excerpt
Alphas Do It Better Book Blog - Review
Jax's Book Magic - Excerpt
Love Drug Book Blog - Review & Excerpt
Lovinghotbooks - Review & Excerpt
RentasticReads - Review
Tanya the book obsessed momma - Review & Excerpt
The Book Avenue - Review
We Stole Your Book Boyfriend - Review
Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty-five books in contemporary and paranormal romance and romantic suspense, including the Hard Ink and Raven Riders series. 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. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
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Thursday 15 February 2018
Review: The Silent Corner - Dean Koontz
I very much need to be dead.
These are the chilling words left behind by a man who had everything to live for but took his own life. In the aftermath, his widow, Jane Hawk, does what all her grief, fear, and fury demands: find the truth, no matter what.
People of talent and accomplishment, people admired and happy and sound of mind, have been committing suicide in surprising numbers. When Jane seeks to learn why, she becomes the most-wanted fugitive in America. Her powerful enemies are protecting a secret so important so terrifying that they will exterminate anyone in their way.
But all their power and viciousness may not be enough to stop a woman as clever as they are cold-blooded, as relentless as they are ruthless and who is driven by a righteous rage they can never comprehend. Because it is born of love.
Jane Hawk Series:
The Bone Farm (Audio Novella)
The Silent Corner
The Whispering Room
The Crooked Staircase
The Forbidden Door
The Night Window (2019)
Visit Dean Koontz's website for more information
Review:
I've been a huge fan of Dean Koontz since I was a teenager but I've not really been reading thrillers and suspense for the last few years so I have to confess it's been a while since I read one of his books. Then The Silent Corner cropped up on Netgalley and I just couldn't resist requesting it. You know that feeling you get when you rediscover an old favourite author and start kicking yourself for missing out on a few years of their stories? That's totally how I felt pretty much as soon as I started reading this but the best thing is that I now have plenty of new books to binge read!
When her husband commits suicide leaving a chilling note that just says "I very much need to be dead" Jane Hawk is convinced that there is more to his death than meets the eye. As a member of the FBI she has the means to investigate and she quickly discovers a disturbing pattern of suicides under strange circumstances. When her family is threatened she is forced to go into hiding, quitting her job, selling her home and leaving her young son with distant friends she focuses all her energy into uncovering what could be a major conspiracy.
The Silent Corner was a totally addictive read, short snappy chapters swiftly built momentum and I found myself devouring the story at a record pace. Ever increasing rates of suicides and now murder suicides. Human programming. Nanotechnology. Multibillionaires who think they can do whatever they like with absolutely no consequences. This is seriously creepy and scarily easy to imagine actually happening in the not too distant future. Who says technology is always a good thing?
Jane can come across as a little cold and unemotional at times but it's quite easy to see that she is so devastated by everything thats happened that she has to lock it up tight just to keep going. She focuses all of her energy into figuring out what happened to her husband so that she can try to stop it happening to anyone else but it's very hard to investigate when you don't know who you can trust. I loved the strength she shows and the fierce determination she has to stop the bad guys no matter how much it costs her. She's a very easy character to root for and I can't wait to carry on with the series to see how things unfold. This was a fantastic start to the series and I think things are only going to get better from here!
Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.
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