Review: Desolate

Desolate (Desolation #2)
by Ali Cross
ebook, 236 pages
Published July 3rd 2012

Review copy

Summary from Goodreads:

Where darkness lives, all becomes desolate . . .
It’s been two months since sixteen-year-old Desolation Black chose Earth over Hell and her friend Miri over her eternal love, Michael.

Desi goes through the motions of life: school, training, remaining vigilant against the forces of darkness, but her dreams are full of the choices she wishes she could change. When she’s injured by a strange demon, old temptations arise, and the lines between good and evil blur. Desi discovers those choices aren’t so final after all.

And this time, the power of love—for a friend, for a lover—may not be enough to save her from the darkness that lurks within.

Thoughts:
Desolate picks up several weeks after the events in Become where Desi was forced to make a painful decision of sacrificing her angel boyfriend; Michael in order to save her best friend; Miri.

Desi is understandably guilt ridden by her decision to stay on Earth instead of embracing her destiny as Lucifer's daughter since Michael was taken to Hell by her father. Miri on the other hand is haunted by dreams of a mysterious Apocalypse rider that will descend to wreak havoc on Earth.

As Desi and her group of fallen Asgardians tried to make sense of what is happening, they discovered that Heimdall; the Bifrost guardian has been abducted by Lucifer/Loki. What follows is a desperate mission to rescue Heimdall to ensure dying souls are able to crossover to the next realm otherwise they are stuck on Earth and become the living death a.k.a zombies.

I much preferred the action-packed pacing of the second book to the first one. But the introduction of so many new characters is quite overwhelming at times. At one point, I'm even wondering who or what certain characters supposed to be since they are derived from Norse and Greek mythology. Maybe a short glossary or introduction of the characters is needed. Further character development would make the story much more enjoyable instead of focussing too much on Desi and Michael's relationship.

Verdict: 3 stars.
In my Self Published Reading Challenge 
Available on: Amazon

My Indie Monday #3

Welcome to My Indie Monday! MIM is hosted by Me, My Shelf and I.

MY INDIE MONDAY is a meme all about Independent and Self Published Authors. Who they are. Where to find them. Why you should read them.

I'm so excited to have Megan Duncan on my blog today. As you all know I'm just so obsessed with her Warm Delicacy series. I thought it would be interesting to see what a conversation between Megan and Claire; the vampire princess from the Warm Delicacy series would be like. And don't forget to check out a giveaway of the book.

About Megan:

Megan Duncan is a lover of all things paranormal, fantasy, sci-fi and anything just out of the ordinary. She is continually fighting her addiction to chocolate and living in her overactive imagination.

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Interview With a Vampire 

Megan: Hi, Claire. How have you been? 

Claire: Hey, Meg! I’m doing pretty good considering there’s an uber scary, evil vampire trying to kill everyone. But, with my friends and family by my side, and Arrick’s guardian nature watching over me, I know we’ll make it through.And how about you? Is there anything you’re working on right now? 

Megan: Oh, you know, the usual. Working, writing and taking care of my crazy cat. It just feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day. But life must be pretty hectic for you too. What with adapting to your new life in Naos. 

Claire: Yes. At times it does seem like there is always something going on, but those special moments where I can simply breathe and enjoy who I’m with make it all worth it. Like the other night I spent an amazing evening on the beach with Arrick! We talked, and laughed, and I was able to completely forget everything that was stressing me out. But, being a writer must be wonderful. Creating new fantastical world, having fans… 

Megan: It really is wonderful. I love being able to live in my imagination and create stories that people enjoy reading. But being a vampire princess must be awesome too. And having two gorgeous guys vying for your attention is just dreamy. 

Claire: Well, I wouldn’t say two. I think Dmitry is still pretty miffed about Arrick and I. I’m hoping he’ll get over it and we can be friends again. I still care about him, but things are different, ya know?So what’s happening with you. Is there any plans for the new book? 

Megan: This new book is going to be epic! I don’t want to reveal any spoilers, but I will say that there are a lot of twists and turns no one is going to see coming! Squee! Thank you for taking the time to talk to me. I know you must have some pretty tight schedule. 

Claire: I’m never too busy for you!

Megan: And thanks so much for not wanting to drink my blood or anything. 

Claire: Ha ha! If you were as tasty as Arrick’s I might have. JK

Savor (Warm Delicacy #1)

Summary from Goodreads:

When Claire Miller turned eighteen all she wanted to do was celebrate her birthday, but after a night on the town with her best friend she awakes to a visitor she never expected. The rulers of her region, a vampire royal family, have chosen her to be turned as their new heir and vampire princess. In a world fueled by the power of blood, Claire quickly discovers the vampire royal family is not what they seem and that she has secrets in her past, she never knew existed.

Indulge (Warm Delicacy #2)

Summary from Goodreads:

Claire's heart is torn between her first vampire love, Dmitry, and the Blood Mate, Arrick, that she is eternally bonded to with a powerfully deep and emotional connection. A vengeful vampire is haunting her steps, after Claire killed their mate. An ancient evil threatens to rip her world apart. With the danger of war looming on the darkening horizon, will Claire find the strength to fight back and protect those she loves? Even if it means embracing the darkness inside her? Is it worth it to become the evil she fears, in order to destroy it?

Giveaway

1. An ebook copy of the books and signed bookmarks.
2. Ends October 15th.
3. Open International.
4. Fill in the rafflecopter and that's it!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Indie Monday #2: Ciye Cho

Welcome to My Indie Monday! MIM is hosted by Me, My Shelf and I.

MY INDIE MONDAY is a meme all about Independent and Self Published Authors. Who they are. Where to find them. Why you should read them.

Today, let's welcome Cye Cho, author of Florence. And don't forget to check out a giveaway of the book.

About Ciye:

Ciye Cho lives in Australia and works as a graphic designer. He writes YA novels in his free time--and his head is often lost in the clouds or some place far from reality...

Ciye Cho
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When did you decide to become a writer and why?
I can't pinpoint the exact time... for I've always wanted to tell stories to others. Daydreaming about different lives and different places is something that I greatly enjoy doing.

Where did you get the inspiration to write the book?
I've always been obsessed with mer mythology, so I wanted to come up with my own take on mermaids and mermen. Some of the things that I drew upon for inspiration were sea documentaries (David Attenborough etc.) and my own experiences of the ocean. One of my most vivid memories as a child was going scuba diving in a coral reef. As a child, I used to spend a lot of time daydreaming about life below the waves.

Your favourite character from the book?
Florence. She's an outsider who's trying to find somewhere to belong--something that I think most people can relate to.

The book trailer for Florence is beautiful, do you happen to design it yourself?
Yes. I created and animated the images myself. I wanted to use symbols and shapes to convey the color, wonder, and danger of Niemela.

Will there be more stories set in the underwater world of Niemela?
Yes. I'm currently working on the sequel to "Florence", and hope to have it out soon. Book 2 will involve Florence Waverley's search for a life path in Niemela. It's going to have lots of action, adventure, and romance. Along with some interesting new characters.

Favourite book of all time and why?
"The Little Prince" by Antoine de-Saint Exupery. It's timeless, whimsical, and truly moving.

If someone made a movie based on your life, which actor/actress will you pick to be you?
Could I be a computer-generated Pixar character? :-)

Florence

Summary from Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Florence Waverley is out of her depth. Literally. Kidnapped and taken below the waves to the mer world of Niemela, she is the ultimate gift for merman Prince Kiren: a human familiar tied to his side. But nothing is what it seems amid the beauty and danger of a dark ocean.

Every Niemelan has a role to play, from the mermaids who weave towers out of kelp to the warriors who fight sea monsters. But in trying to survive, Florence will end up in the middle of a war between the mer and the Darkness. A conflict that will push her between two brothers: Kiren, the charmer inexplicably drawn to both her and the monsters; and Rolan, the loner who has been pushing her away since the day they met. But in order to take a stand--and find out where she belongs--Florence will have to risk it all: her life, her heart... and her very soul.

Giveaway

1. An ebook copy of the book.
2. Ends September 10th.
3. Open International.
4. Fill in the rafflecopter and that's it!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Indie Monday #1: Liz Long

Welcome to the first ever My Indie Monday post! MIM is hosted by Me, My Shelf and I.

MY INDIE MONDAY is a meme all about Independent and Self Published Authors. Who they are. Where to find them. Why you should read them.

Today, I'm so excited to welcome Liz Long, author of Gifted. And don't forget to check out a giveaway of the book.

About Liz:

Liz Long has been writing stories since she could spell the word "unicorn" (second grade). She fears a zombie apocalypse, though admits it would give her good reason to stay inside and write more. She is a proud graduate of Longwood University with a degree in English. Gifted is her debut title, the first in the Donovan Circus series. She lives in Roanoke, VA with her husband Jason and their Jack Russell terror, Fisher.

Liz Long

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Where did you get the inspiration to write the book?
I'm an Aries, a Fire sign, so I've always been interested in fire (not in the arson way, promise). I wanted to create a world that was supernatural, but didn't necessarily showcase the vampire/werewolf/magic part of the world. I also wanted to create a strong character that made readers laugh even when they thought she was being bullheaded, and sometimes, that just required a mirror ;)

What do you think is totally unique about your story?
I think it's unique in the sense that it's a world no one's seen before. Even though it does resemble X-Men powers, that's as far as the similarities go. I hadn't seen too many circus setting books (until recently, oddly enough), but with the setting (not a high school or regular work environment), the fantasy in it can sort of speak for itself. Plus I like to think I fooled everyone pretty well--every time you think you know the villain or what's going to happen next, I take it in the opposite direction, so it's hard to actually guess the ending until you're finished!

Can you describe the book in 20 words.
(Oh gosh.) A fantasy adventure with supernatural powers at the circus. A little love. Lot of drama. Murder mystery. Kick ass. (That's 19, so there!)

What makes you choose the circus as the setting for Gifted?
As soon as I thought up Lucy and her Gifted world, it was like I knew to put them in a circus. Sounds bizarre, but I just knew! Of course people with special talents would hide in the circus--they can be themselves together as a family, develop their gifts with help and support, and hide from humans while still taking their money legally. It made total sense to me and the more I developed it, the happier I was with the story and setting.

Your favourite character from the book?
Oh gosh, this is actually really tough! I love writing Lucy, but I'd probably say it's a tie between Delia and Finley. Both are fun-loving, friendly, and very loyal. Nothing really ever gets them down because it's not in them to get discouraged. Finley's got some of the best lines, too, just because he's immature and there for a good time!

Any plans for the next book?
Yes! I fully intend to dive back into the circus for a second story, and hopefully a third and fourth (maybe a fifth and sixth...). It's a series, but each book will be able to stand alone, so I hope to continue on as long as the ideas keep coming.

Gifted: A Donovan Circus Novel

Summary from Goodreads:

Even in a world of freaks, being a Firestarter is considered a dangerous Gift.

Lucy was born with the ability to create and control fire. She longs to leave the human world for one filled with Earthshakers, Transporters, and Chameleons, to name a few. When she rejoins the circus, it’s everything she hoped it could be—new friends, a potential love interest or two, and a place where she can be herself.

When troupe members begin turning up dead, however, Lucy is suspected of foul play. She must not only prove her innocence but also realize the full extent of her power. To find the real murderer, she must uncover the truth behind her father’s fiery legacy while figuring out whom to trust within her new circle. Little does she know the history of the Donovan Circus and its enemies might actually destroy the entire gifted world.

Giveaway

1. An ebook (Kindle/Nook) copy of the book.
2. Ends August 27th.
3. Open International.
4. Fill in the rafflecopter and that's it!

a Rafflecopter giveaway